6th Grade

Every quarter I visit all my students in one of the core classes for about 20 minutes. I talk about topics or information I think will be helpful to them for the upcoming quarter, and i answer any questions they might have at that time. For the first quarter of 6th grade, I focused on what is “middle” about middle school school, and what the role of a school counselor is.

The students were quick to see that middle school isn’t just between elementary and high school, but also is “middle age” (their term) of their youth. I talked about them moving from the boys and girls of elementary school to the young men and women of high school.

I broke them into groups to brainstorm what a school counselor does. they focused on helping students with problems, and some were able to describe those problems in more detail. I did have to explain that scheduling is not a counseling duty, but merely us helping out administration, that we were not “cops,” that we had a lot of information to offer in addition to problem-solving, and that our main task is helping to clear away anything which gets in the way of the three goals that I have for each of them: challenge themselves academically and learn to learn well, become educated and skilled socially, especially with those different from you, and have fun: you’re still young, and life should not be all work and hardship.

WMS’s largest 6th grade ever is off to a fine start. Now in its 2nd full week, our 386 students are gradually coming to term with the building layout, lockers, teacher and class locations, dress and conduct codes, and where and when to hang out with their friends. After a full day orientation on the 7th, classes began on the 8th. We had a climate assembly in the gym this past week, giving the 6th graders an idea of our expectations and hopes for them over the next 3 years. Upcoming is a 6th-grade only get-acquainted dance in October, before our first school dance.

Many of you have already e-mailed, phoned, or visited me with questions and concerns. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, and I’ll do my best to answer them with you.

The school year has 4 quarter, two per semester, and believe it or not, we’ve reached the middle of the first quarter. Your student’s grades will be posted on the Source. Parents are sometimes surprised by a dip in their student’s usual grades, or just low grades in general. This is not at all uncommon, however, for 6th graders, who have spent the better part of these first 6 weeks just trying to survive the start of middle school. I’ve talked with many of them in my office, and the brave way they approach what is often a daunting new school life is inspiring. Don’t be taken aback, or alarmed, if your child seems exhausted or emotionally stretched these days. Things will calm down as they get used to and begin to really enjoy their new school career!

It’s all already gone. With amazingly little obvious stress, the 6th graders (and their parents) have successfully completed their first full week of middle school. There are transportation, placement, and locker questions, and we already have some friendship issues surfacing, but all-in-all, it was a good first week. The school climate assemblies got all the students on the same page, and the 6th graders got to see a live demo of appropriate—and not so appropriate—dress by their ASB student representatives. Our first test fire drill also went by smoothly.

Don’t be surprised though, if your youngster gets emotional very quickly for what seems like a little thing. It doesn’t take much to derail them, when they’re operating at near-maximum capacity to keep all the newness straight. I’ve had a few good conversations to help settle some distraught kids down and get their feet back under them.

Well over 300 6th graders and many of their parents attended the first day of middle school in our newly-remodeled building. Sometimes it was hard to tell who was more anxious. But everyone did well, especially the kids. A carefully orchestrated orientation, conducted by House Administrator Mrs. Jones sent each of 10 student groups to 5 stations throughout the day. They picked up schedules, practiced locker combinations, got a tour of the building, filled out their planner, discussed anti-bullying strategies, and enjoyed seeing old friends while beginning new relationships. Spirits were high, and yet they were able to maintain more than a semblance of order throughout the long-information-filled day. Although the transportation situation at the end of the day had a number of kinks, the 6th graders hung in there like veterans. I’m looking forward to this new crew, got a chance to talk with many of them, and am eager to see how they will grow as young people during the next 3 years.