Welcome to Chisholm Trail

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Welcome to Chisholm Trail

• Tips for Parents
• Successful Tweens at the Trail

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Middle School...

• It can be the best of times.
• It can be the worst of times.
• Certainly this is a time of mixed emotions.
• Expectations change dramatically.
• There are more teachers7 or 8 instead of 1 or 2.
  
• Homework may require more time.
• Prioritizing multiple tasks.

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Yes, middle school is hard on parents!

• Dont be embarrassed.
• All parents have these
• fears.
• Im here (along with over 20), to lend you
  support offer you tips, and walk you through
  this
• challenging time.

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30 Years of Research

• Home involvement in schooling has a
• POSITIVE impact on youngsters attitudes,
  aspirations, and achievement.
• You are already making the grade,
• doing a good job, and
• supporting your student!

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Helping your child through this transition.

• Dont be too anxious yourself.

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Helping

• Teach
  organizational habits.
• Post your family schedules.

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Helping your child

• Encourage him to get involved, then be there to
  pick them up or attend a game.
• Attend school meetings and events.

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Helping

• Communicate with your child often.
• Be open.

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Top Secret Tips

• Buy a combination lock before school begins.
• Dont buy a backpack that stores 50 pounds
  (smaller means better organization).
• Seek communication from your childs teachers,
  administrators, and sponsors.
• Take time to read information about
  pre-adolescent development.
• What are you willing to negotiate and what are
  absolutes?

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Hints for success

• Break down school work and
• chores at home into small parts.
• Remind your students about important dates and
  deadlines at school.
• Listen, dont poke, pry, take sides, or
  intervene.
• Be a friend to your middle schooler. Listen dont
  criticize.

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Hints for success

• Friendships dont always mean smooth sailing.
• Reprimand means deal with the one problem--do not
  bring in other issues.
• If the issue is minor, keep things light.
• Dont use power unless it is urgent.

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What supplies do they need?

• An egg crate or box.
• Several hanging files.
• Dictionary/Thesaurus.
• Paper, pencils, pens.

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What do 6th graders do?

• Choose 2 class electivesone must be a Fine Arts
  class (Band, choir, or orchestra).

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Helping.

• Attend Camp Thurman in the fall. Students learn
  the importance of meeting new people and working
  together as a team.

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6th grade can

• Attend Pep Rallies
• Attend school dances, after-school sporting
  events and programs.
• Attend other content area field trips.
• Earn academic recognition with
• rewards, privileges, and medals.
• Serve as Ambassadors to Incoming
• 5th Graders.
• Participate in UIL events.

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One last word to the wise

• Stay involved.
• Monitor your childs progress.
• Teach organizational skills daily for the first
  few months of school.
• Ask questions of administrators and teachers.
  Dont wait.
• Attend school events.
• Volunteer in school.
• Seek information.

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Check it out

• www.Greatschools.net
• www.Schoolfamily.com
• www.internet4classrooms.com
• www2.scholastic.com
• www.ed.gov/parents
• www.kidshealth.org
• www.parentingteens.about.com
• www.schoolcounselor.org
• www.nmsa.org