Information for Parents

Congratulations! You are soon to participate in the next part of your child’s educational journey, that being middle school. Your child will have an adjustment to go through. Although every child is different, there are many similarities each one experiences. If this is your first journey with a child going through the middle school years, you will have some adjustments to go through too. Adolescence is a wonderful time, and at times it can be challenging. Hopefully the tips in this brochure will help you and your child make this journey successful.

Being a Team

In the past, you and your child probably knew what to expect when school started. The routine was the same pretty much day after day. And now is middle school. It’s an exciting time to watch your child step into the next chapter in their life. Classes will be more diverse, there will be more activities to get involved in as they advance to higher grades, and eventually you and your child will start thinking of high school and beyond. This time can also be intimidating for you and your child. Wondering who the teachers will be, movement throughout the day, even remembering locker combinations. Thoughts your child might have may include friends, or not having friends. What if your child doesn’t know anyone in classes? Will they be able to keep up with the homework?

You may have your own concerns. How will you know what is going on at school? Will you know your child’s friends? How will you stay in touch with all the teachers? Better yet, will you even know who all the teachers are? How will your child, who forgets to even brush their teeth in the morning, be able to keep track of everything?

This page might give you ideas on what to expect. Even more though, remember to keep a grasp on what is happening to your child. Communication cannot be stressed enough, between you and your child, and you and the school. Talk to them each day about their experiences at school, what good things are happening and what happened that was bad. There is nothing worse than going to school each day in fear of what they might experience. The staff here is more than willing to listen to your concerns and wants to help you. Home and school need to be a team to be successful. Here are a few ways to keep in touch with us at school.

The district web site which includes all schools is www.wdpsd.com. This site has the monthly parent newsletter, grading scale, sports information, staff email addresses, menu, handbook, organizations, curriculum, calendar, daily bulletin, long term assignments and Powerschool access.

What is Powerschool?  Powerschool is a web-based student information system.  It simplifies real-time information over the internet.  You will have access to your child's grades, homework assignments, attendance and other information.  You will have an access code and password which allows you to get information to keep you current with your child's academic progress.  The Middle School web site also has a homework calendar for major assignments by grade. It is a very useful tool.

Get Involved, Stay Involved

Parent involvement is key to a student’s success in school. In middle school, however, your child will most likely give you the message to stay away. Skills and habits learned now is what will carry through high school and beyond. Come to school when invited for programs or conferences. When a chaperone is needed, volunteer. It doesn’t mean you need to hang by your child the entire time. There are ways you can get involved outside the classroom too, such as our parent organization. Learn who can help when you need support from the school, such as if you have a concern about an individual class, contact that teacher. If it involves your child having a problem in general, contact a counselor. Get to know the principals and other school staff. A monthly newsletter is sent home and is on the web site. This has current information to keep you updated. Please, don’t hesitate to call if you have questions or concerns.

Get Organized

When it comes to helping your child academically, being organized is one of the most important attributes to success. Academic Agendas, provided by our school, help map out what is due daily, weekly or monthly. A supply list is available of what is needed by grade. Color coding items by subject can help. A consistent routine provides a time each day to review class work and assigned homework. A place to study that is well lit and free of distractions is a must. If your child is feeling overwhelmed, take a break every 30 minutes or so, and set a goal for each block of time. The agenda notebook or a calendar is great to keep track of progress. If your child says "no homework", you might want to check. It is still best to study every day, even for review. If your child is involved in other activities, try to balance school, extra-curricular and free time. When larger projects are assigned, break the larger task into smaller chunks. Check on your child’s progress regularly. Make sure your child gets enough sleep, going to bed each night at the same time. Children at this age need sleep, as well as nourishment. A healthy breakfast and lunch with a variety of food goes a long way. Nurture a love of learning by encouraging effort. This helps build confidence. When things are difficult, step in to offer assistance. In the end, children love when their parents are involved in school.

Friends and More Friends

Friends in middle school are a major issue. Help your child get in the good crowd by teaching them to be fair, respect for self and others, and follow their sense of right and wrong. Get to know your child’s friends by welcoming them into your home. Set expectations that are respected at all times. Get to know their parents too. Talk with your child about dangerous behaviors such as substance abuse and violence. Talking about it won’t encourage it, and they will know its unacceptable. Encourage positive social activities. Teach your child it is ok to be different. Peer pressure can be positive or negative. Encourage friends that will help them to be a better person. Other concerns are bullying and harassment. Peer mediation is available for conflicts. Don’t accept harassment as normal. Teach your child the value of being assertive. If telling the bully to stop doesn’t work, have them report it. Make sure your child knows you are willing to talk to them about their concern.

Changes are coming!

If your child hasn't already started, here are some of the changes you might expect.  As stated earlier, each child is different, but most of the following are normal: