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Help for Parents

< Intermediate School: Movin' On Up

How can I help my child make a smooth transition to middle school? 

  • Reassure your child that it's normal to feel excited and/or nervous. Share your experiences.
  • Highlight the positive:
    • More independence
    • New opportunities: friends, sports, clubs, dances, field trips
    • Opportunity to learn new subjects
  • Reassure your child that Sabine Middle School is a safe campus with many caring students and adults. 

Some concerns your child may have:

  • Getting lost
  • Lockers/combination locks
  • Homework and Teachers
  • Making friends
  • Fitting in with peers/being popular
  • No playgroud? No recess?
  • New routines: classrooms, teachers, bus, cafeteria

-Remember change is more difficult for some students. 

Social Worries

Middle school is a social maze compared to elementary school. You are changing classes each period and you will be in classes with a lot more students than you were in elementary school. This can be overwhelming for children that like the comfort of a single classroom with a group of the same children each day. Your child is also thinking about the fact that they are the youngest in this maze. It is easy as adults to downplay our children's fears, but middle school brings a lot of pressure to be social. Here are some ideas if your child is worried about the social aspect of the transition to middle school.

  • Remind your child that they will have the opportunity to meet a lot of students by changing classes each period. Talk about this change in a positive light and emphasize the opportunity for more potential friends.
  • Encourage your child to get involved at school. There will be a lot more activities to join than there were in elementary school. Sports, clubs, fine arts and other activities can help your child find their niche. 
  • Have a heart to heart talk with your child about being who they are. It is more important to be yourself than to be "cool" and to fit in. Encourage them to hang out with kid's they like and are comfortable with. Talk about the impotance of not compromising their beliefs and convictions to gain "friends."
  • Some children need to go over some basic social skills. Talk to your child about how to join in conversations without interrupting and how to be a good friend.