July 21-24: AM and PM Sessions of Bison Boost

July 29-August 1: Am and PM Session of Bison Boost

August 12: WEB Day for all incoming 6th Graders

August 18: Bison Roundup (Get your Schedule, Meet Your Teachers)

There are many things you can do to help build confidence this summer!

1. Practice combination locks!  Lockers are a BIG stress those first few days, and knowing how to work a combination lock makes a big difference.

2. Get them involved!  There are many opportunities to get your child in the building between now and August to help them become more comfortable.  Sign up for Bison Boost in the spring.

3. Listen!  While we know that kids do GREAT in 6th grade, they are allowed to have big feelings about going to a new school and making new friends.  Middle school is a time to learn how to talk to your parents and share your feelings with them, and we can help by taking the time to be good listeners!

Social media, even if your child doesn’t have it, WILL have an influence on their middle school experience in some way or another.  So how can you stay ahead of the game and help your child be social media safe?

Follow Their Accounts. Nothing is private in the digital world, which means your kids shouldn’t expect their social media to be private from you.  Make sure privacy settings are in place so you can see what is happening with their activity.

Use Large Screens. Kids having unlimited social media time on their phones can encourage impulsivity and reckless online behavior.  When you encourage students to use their chromebook or a home computer instead of letting them keep their social media access in their pocket, you encourage responsibility and thoughtfulness.

Keep an Eye on the Clock. Do you know how much time they spend on social media each day?  The average teen spends 9 hours a day on social media-time that can at least partly be spent on much more healthy and important activities.

Plan Actual Social Time. Remember that they don’t need 900 friends-just a few close friends are enough to have healthy social development.  Intentionally create time for social gatherings for your child so they can spend non-screen time with their peers.  Don’t forget to set aside screen-free time with you as well!