It’s that time of year again.
The time of year when millions of 12- year-olds embark upon what is
perhaps the most anticipated event of early adolescence: The start of middle school.
It’s no secret that middle school can be intimidating. For many kids, it’s the first time they’ve been in a large school, with multiple teachers and a lot of homework.
But middle school doesn’t have to be scary. If new middle schoolers can start the year with some tips on how to survive, the rest will be a breeze.
The Monitor called on the assistant principal of Rundlett Middle School, Ann Rians, and the president of Concord Pediatrics, Dr. Patricia Edwards, for some guidance.
Rians said almost every kid comes into their first day of middle school with the same three questions: Will I get lost? Will I make new friends? Will my teachers be nice?
So if you’re child is feeling that way, don’t worry. It’s totally normal.
Many schools have “move up days,” during which fifth-graders get a chance to take a trip to the middle school for a day, meet teachers and tour the school. Concord fifth-graders did that in May.
Rians said move up day typically “helps diffuse a lot of students’ nervousness.”
At Rundlett, fifth-graders from four elementary schools – Abbot Downing, Christa Mcauliffe, Broken Ground and Beaver Meadow – come together to form seven clusters of around 50 kids each.
During that first year of middle school, your cluster is like your family, Rians said. Your peers help you navigate the ups and downs of switching classes, studying new subjects (like languages, a first in middle school) and dealing with new people.
Your fellow cluster buddies are also good people to help you stay on top of homework, she said.
“A lot of students are going to be surprised that they can’t let homework build up and do it at the last minute like they did elementary school,” Edwards agreed.
Edwards said that it’s easy to feel isolated, so apart from hangin’ with cluster friends, she recommends that students join social groups, like sports teams, band, robotics or theater.
If students are having trouble, Rains said they shouldn’t be afraid to go to the teacher or guidance counselor.
“Teachers love it when students approach them for help,” Rians said. “It’s what they’re here for.”
Edwards also warned against excess social media use.
“If a kid is getting teased on Facebook, its best to stay off it for a while,” she said.
In addition, if children are using computers an hour or two before bed, it can make it difficult for them to fall asleep at night because their brain is stimulated by the screen lights, Edwards said.
Getting sick is also something that happens way more often than you think in middle school. Once one student gets sick, the virus quickly makes its way through the rest of the school.
To try and avoid this as much as possible, Edwards said students should be careful not to share drinks with their friends, and to get their flu shots.
As for drugs and alcohol, just don’t do it, Edwards said.
“It’s not healthy for the young brain to do drugs or alcohol. It can affect the way you think, and it can affect the way you learn,” she said.
If you do decide to go to a party, make a deal with your parents beforehand, Edwards said, and always bring a buddy.
“Say to your parents, ‘Can I call you if need to be picked up from the party, no questions asked,” she said. “You can always talk about what happened the next day.”
Students will receive their schedule on the first day of school, at the end of the month. On their first half day, new sixth-graders will get to know their teachers, learn how to unlock their lockers and do some team building exercises with their clusters.
The Ready to Learn fair will be held at Rundlett on Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This event can be of help to students who need assistance purchasing backpacks and school supplies. Free haircuts, dental and eye examinations will also be available.
From now until the end of August, the middle school will be open to any students who want to come in, take a tour, and get familiar with the school’s physical layout before the big first day.
(Leah Willingham can be reached at 369-3305 or lwillingham@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @LeahMWillingham.)