This is such an exciting time, the move from elementary school to middle school! SO much happens in these middle school years....development, maturity, responsibility and independence. Your child is entering into a time where they will start to discover how they fit into their world outside of home. There WILL be challenges. There WILL be heartaches. There WILL be worry and doubt. And, there WILL be mistakes made. But.....there will also be new friendships, growth, lessons learned and success!

These things aren't just about our kids, they will happen for you as parents too! This time "in the middle" goes by extremely fast! So, my best advice for where you are right now is, ENJOY it. Breathe. And lastly, soak it in because before you know it they will all be headed to high school. Buckle up......this middle school ride will not only start, but be over before you know it.

The Good News: You are NOT alone!

• Middle School is MESSY, and that's okay!
• NO child is perfect, support them through the mistakes and hard lessons they will experience
• Encourage GROWTH in the "yuck" moments
• Help your child take RESPONSIBILITY for what they do, or don't do...not just place blame
• Mistakes WILL be made, help them find the positive side to this
• Foster EMPATHY for the mistakes others will make
• It's NOT as scary as it seems

There are a lot of links and resources available on the webpage. Even if you aren't attending EHSS next year, you will likely find something useful. Hopefully you do!

Click on the PDF below for a Middle School Teacher created resource to help you help your student stay on top of essential grade level skills over the summer.

Help them return to school in the Fall ready to be their best academic selves!

Bottom Line:

There will be a lot of flexibility with lockers and with tardies to class in the first few weeks of school. We get it, it's a big stressful change. And we know, it is all going to be okay, it always is! So, over and over again, communicate to your child that they are not the first 6th graders to enter the school. We are prepared for them and their worries!

While not everything in the video below applies to our 5th graders (especially those staying at EHSS), the overall fears and thoughts are pretty universal no matter where you are!

If the locker struggles are a BIG worry....grab a pad lock and let your new Middle Schooler practice! This is a great infographic for them to use s a guide.

Lockers will be assigned at the start of the school year and will be available when they receive their class schedule (a few days before classes begin).

Email: asilvis@blaineschools.org
Website: https://www.blaineschools.org/domain/1446
Phone: 208-578-5054