New to Public School...best tips - Hippymom

cutiemama3 · 06-01-2010, 12:21 PM

I've mentioned in a couple of posts that I'm transitioning my homeschooled kids to public school this fall. 5th, 6th and 8th grade.

We've gone on a tour of the school, and I'm reading books...sometimes I get so nervous and have a ton of questions and then if I just calm down I answer them myself.

Any Moms transition, too?

Even if you didn't...maybe you just moved to a new school, or you have good ideas regardless...what are your best tips for new middle school students?

Best way for me to help them navigate?
Most important social contexts they should be aware of, or that I should be?
Do middle schoolers use lunch boxes, brown bags, ???

I know I'm missing lots and might understand better than I think, but I'd love to throw some ideas around.

MamaBirdie · 06-01-2010, 07:36 PM

Well, we didn't transition from homeschool, but I have sure been the new kid many, many times. I would say the tour was a wonderful idea, and if they can meet their teachers or the counselor, principal, music teacher, coach, or someone they will see a lot it would help it not feel so strange.

I think middle schoolers would either buy lunch, bring a box that isn't obviously a box like one for adults, or a bag. Mine are still in elementary, but really they will find out soon what they want to do and have no problems telling you I am sure

If you can find out any of the events like sports they have during the summer your kids could go and maybe meet some kids so they will know people this fall, and I would also suggest asking the counselor or anyone there you know who would know what s/he suggests too. It will work out...they usually adjust faster than you think. You can find the supply lists for their grades at WalMart or Target or the school, too, so they will have what they need.

boedica · 06-01-2010, 08:06 PM

stay very involved

thats my big advice for middle schoolers. the school my teen goes to has a website that they update constantly, that i check constantly. i call if i have ANY reason to. i take advantage of parent teacher conferences. i read everything.....and i raid her backpack because she doesn't share stuff with me

oh, and don't be afraid to stand up for your kids....edie has been bullied and i was relentless until it was COMPLETELY resolved.

get to know the teachers and guidance counselor....i got in good with the office staff and the librarian too.....extra eyes.

she loves school most times and is actually geek-proud of her work. i think its because i put such an emphasis on it being a part of OUR lives....not something she is enduring solo.

06-01-2010, 12:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
cutiemama3 Witch-AY woman Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New England Sign: Pisces Posts: 129 Points: 1,995.99 Bank: 160.84 Total Points: 2,156.83 Donate	New to Public School...best tips I've mentioned in a couple of posts that I'm transitioning my homeschooled kids to public school this fall. 5th, 6th and 8th grade. We've gone on a tour of the school, and I'm reading books...sometimes I get so nervous and have a ton of questions and then if I just calm down I answer them myself. Any Moms transition, too? Even if you didn't...maybe you just moved to a new school, or you have good ideas regardless...what are your best tips for new middle school students? Best way for me to help them navigate? Most important social contexts they should be aware of, or that I should be? Do middle schoolers use lunch boxes, brown bags, ??? I know I'm missing lots and might understand better than I think, but I'd love to throw some ideas around. __________________ ~chel "When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained." - Mark Twain

06-01-2010, 07:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
MamaBirdie Beauty Join Date: Oct 2006 Sign: Pisces Posts: 22,638 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1 Points: 6,473,788.57 Bank: 87,981,662.20 Total Points: 94,455,450.77 Donate	Well, we didn't transition from homeschool, but I have sure been the new kid many, many times. I would say the tour was a wonderful idea, and if they can meet their teachers or the counselor, principal, music teacher, coach, or someone they will see a lot it would help it not feel so strange. I think middle schoolers would either buy lunch, bring a box that isn't obviously a box like one for adults, or a bag. Mine are still in elementary, but really they will find out soon what they want to do and have no problems telling you I am sure If you can find out any of the events like sports they have during the summer your kids could go and maybe meet some kids so they will know people this fall, and I would also suggest asking the counselor or anyone there you know who would know what s/he suggests too. It will work out...they usually adjust faster than you think. You can find the supply lists for their grades at WalMart or Target or the school, too, so they will have what they need. __________________ As the saying goes, when a door slams shut in one place a window opens somewhere else. After staring at the door for many years, it finally occured to me to go look for the open window. I discovered I like sunlight and warmth much more than peeling old doors anyway, so I climbed out the window and reveled in my discovery. I will never sit behind a closed door again, no matter how comfortable my chair becomes. Me http://www.alabamareiki.com/

06-01-2010, 08:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
boedica self evident Join Date: Apr 2008 Sign: Aries Posts: 17,871 Points: 526,235.75 Bank: 3,466,910.81 Total Points: 3,993,146.56 Donate	stay very involved thats my big advice for middle schoolers. the school my teen goes to has a website that they update constantly, that i check constantly. i call if i have ANY reason to. i take advantage of parent teacher conferences. i read everything.....and i raid her backpack because she doesn't share stuff with me oh, and don't be afraid to stand up for your kids....edie has been bullied and i was relentless until it was COMPLETELY resolved. get to know the teachers and guidance counselor....i got in good with the office staff and the librarian too.....extra eyes. she loves school most times and is actually geek-proud of her work. i think its because i put such an emphasis on it being a part of OUR lives....not something she is enduring solo. __________________ So we’re led by denial like lambs to the slaughter Serving empires of style and carbonated sugar water and the old farmroad’s a four-lane That leads to the mall and my dreams are all guillotines waiting to fall.... Ani DiFranco "UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." The Lorax

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