I have often heard parents say that they are more nervous about their children making the move to Middle School than they were when those same children entered Kindergarten! It is an age when children sometimes appear to be pushing their parents further and further away....when, in actuality, they need their parents just as much, or even more, than ever. Do not worry! We understand that this stage can be sometimes confusing, sometimes wonderful, and sometimes every feeling in the world rolled into one! Here is a list of some of the opportunities we offer to support you and your child as you enter this new and exciting transition:
*Middle School Open House....During this evening event that is scheduled shortly after the school year begins, Middle School staff members share a wide range of pertinent information that can help students and parents as they transition into their new grade level.
*Mentoring/Team Time....Every student is a part of Team Time. These classes meet every school day except in cases where the school day has to be adjusted for special circumstances. Activities are conducted that cover topics that help the students expand their awareness of themselves and others.
*RTI (Response to Instruction)....RTI is available to any student who shows s/he needs any extra instructional support in the areas of Reading or Math. A student can have RTI for all or part of the school year.
*Remediation and/or Enrichment rotation classes....For students who are not in Choir (or for 6th graders, also Band), some of these classes are semester or year-long while others switch or "rotate" every 9 weeks, depending on the course.
Here is a very important Middle School opportunity:
21st Century Scholar Program:
An opportunity that is available to Indiana students in grades 7 and 8 is the 21st Century Scholarship Program. This offers students who apply and qualify up to 4 years of free tuition to participating Indiana post-secondary institutions. Even though this is for money that is to be used after High School graduation, a student MUST apply while s/he is still in 7th or 8th grade. The application and enrollment process has been re-vamped and is now completely online....keep in mind that the application dead-line is June 30th of this school year. To access the on-line application, or to find any other information regarding th 21st Century Scholars program including our Middle School and High School site numbers, here is a link to their web-site: www.scholars.in.gov.