Dear HKMS Families,

Trimester two (aka T2) report cards are out this afternoon and ready for you to check out!  Please see the instruction just below this message on how you can access them (if you needed a reminder).  As I have said in the past, report cards grades and not necessarily a comprehensive report on all things your child now knows, understands, and is able to do, but are a "moment in time" picture on how they performed on certain tasks and experiences over the last 60 days.  I have always felt that report cards are great discussion starters and chances to reinforce what is going well and make a plan for what is not going so well. Here are a few “tips from the trenches” when discussing report card grades and comments with your middle schooler:

1. Focus on growth, what they have learned, not what points or marks they did not achieve.  For years now we know intelligence and academic performance are not “fixed” but are capable of great growth if properly supported and nourished.  Nothing kills a growth mindset more than, “Why didn't you get a better grade in that class?” 

2. Reflect on their performance with them.  Ask them what habits, practices, and routines are responsible for their grades (good or bad) and how can you continue to improve them or reduce them for even greater success. 

3. Discuss and set goals.  If your child performed above expectations, ask how they can keep the momentum up. If they have set goals with you, as suggested after T1, then review their progress toward those goals.  If you did not, its not too late! Have them set goals now to maintain or even increase performance next trimester. If they are falling below their own expectations, help them to focus on one or two areas they feel could really help them improve.  Setting goals that try to change everything are bound to fail, often focusing on one habit or routine can make a big difference.   I ask my daughter, what do you want to improve on next trimester and how do you plan to doing that? (note: doing the same things and expecting different results, don't usually work well). 

4. Be proud of them, and make sure they are proud of themselves.  Middle school is a challenging time academically, socially, and emotionally. Focus on their successes and while they seek your approval it is even more important they are internally responsible for the work they have done.  I love asking my daughter, what are you most proud of this past trimester? 

5. Any concerns should be brought to the teacher's attention.  Our educators are top-notch.  They are here to help and know what is or is not working for your child.  

Sometimes conversations are a bit stifled with middle schoolers, especially about school.  One way to get conversations primed it to use this very newsletter! Ask them about things going on in their classes based on the "classroom peeeks" section and about what they hope to learn in the T3. These conversations can nicely  lead into discussions about goals and growth!

One more exciting event we are just starting to plan for is the upcoming solar eclipse! If the weather is good we are planning an afterschool Solar Eclipse Viewing Party. We will be supplying all students and staff with eclipse viewing glasses.  Science classes will be reviewing safety issues related to viewing an eclipse and building viewing devices (like pinhole viewers) while learning about this wonderful phenomenon.  The eclipse will be starting for us around 2:30, peaking around 3:30, and ending at about 4:30.  To make sure everyone can stay for the whole event, we are hosting an afterschool eclipse viewing party, and you're invited too!  If your HKMS student, you and other family members, would like to attend our afterschool viewing party, please fill out the RSVP form, linked here.   We need this to properly plan for parking and other logistics. There will be more information to come on this event. 

Wishing you and your family great conversations about T2 and a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Steven Clapp, Ed.D.