Indeed! Thanks for the clarification.

Joe, I think you misunderstood what ms61star was saying....they weren't talking about getting involved in a Drama Club, but staying OUT of the "drama" that often is experienced by middle schoolers (I believe ms61star was talking about not getting caught up in "cliques" and similar issues where kids jockey for status.)

Love this response from a middle schooler. Gets right to the heart of the matter. Find a group of kids you feel comfortable with who support and encourage you. Often the drama club or class has a wonderful group of supportive kids who enjoy spending time together both during and after the school day.

Here are a few additional articles on making a successful transition to middle school. Enjoy!
bit.ly/17PPwU
bit.ly/b2DiO

Well, i finish 6 garde this year and i going to 7. If stay right people and do not get involed in drama or issues he would do fine.

Thank you to everyone, for all your wonderful answers and I will have my son sit with me and read all these answers. He is getting a little nervous now, but with everyone's help he will make it... Thanks again.

I go to middle school to and it will take a bit to get use to. When going into sixth grade it might feel weird for your child but I promise it gets easier. Since your child is going to be a 6th grader he is in the youngest grade. I suggest that he should worry and just make friends. This way the year will be a breeze.

Congratulations to you both for making the leap from elementary to middle school. Great tips from the group, particularly the idea of stopping by the school campus prior to the orientation/back to school days. Giving your child the opportunity to explore the school campus prior to day one is a wonderful way to lessen anxiety. The school map is often online as someone pointed out. Locating bathrooms is often the top priority so consider the possibility of creating a scavenger hunt type of activity where your child and a few friends can use the school map to find a variety of high interest locations.

The greatest coaching I can offer is to stop by the school's front office and introduce yourself. Shake hands with the front office staff, principal and academic counselors. These folks will see your child on a daily basis and have great influence in his ability to succeed. Express your enthusiasm for becoming part of the school community.

A few weeks into school, after the dust has settled, send an email or leave a short voice mail for each of your child's teachers, again with the intention of introducing yourself and your enthusiasm for the coming years. Consider commenting on something positive you noticed in the class syllabus. This isn't the time to begin an interrogation or to quiz the teacher on curriculum. You are building a relationship that begins with acknowledgement of each teacher's role in your child's life. Take it slow.

Gradually build on the relationships you have established with the teachers and school site staff through an occasional card or email that recognizes the role each person plays in your child's ability to succeed. Recognition is in short supply around most school sites, so your words will come as a welcome relielf to the traditional parent communication.

Back to school or open house is the perfect opportunity to connect your name with a face and solidify the relationship you have developed with each teacher.

Best,
Joe Bruzzese

1st - 5th grade in my opinion is Elementary school NO matter what the school system says! Middle school is 6th, 7th & 8th Grade where as High School is 9th, 10, 11th & 12th grades.

If the school is online you can probably get loads of good information on their website. If not contact the school and set up a time to visit it BEFORE school starts.

The school our 2 older kids go to have an online newsletter you can view and have emailed to you! That way YOU are in the KNOW of whats going on at school! Their grades/homework/missing assignments/lunch accts are online also!

SOME schools in our area - Holland Michigan- have New Student Orientation or Open House/Ice Cream Socials before school starts. Call the school and find out what they do for new students!

I usually KNOW who my kids teachers are BEFORE they do! I email them BEFORE school starts so they know what they are in store for! LOL (This is for my sons forgetfulness - NOTwanting to do and complete his HOMEWORK - usually from day ONE!) LOL

My daughter, A SENIOR this year, has Summer Homework/READING/QUESTIONS to do for her AP (Advance Placement) English class. This information is online as well as other summer reading for all students 1-12! All this reading/questions are DUE the first day of school Aug 26, 2009!

I am sure your son will be FINE. He will make friends and find his way around faster than what you think he will.

Take him down now or certainly before the year begins and walk around the school. These days you usually have to clear a visit ahead of time but it can help to have walked around the building a bit - it makes it less intimidating. Introduce yourselves to the teachers as you go - some of whom will certainly respond with warmth and welcome and help to make your son feel at home.
If there's any way over the summer to make some friends who will be in his new school, that can help a lot.
Good luck.

Yes, I will be joining them, but probably won't be able to be there as much as I like. I'm in the process of looking for a job sooo, we will see. last year I was at the school alot and helped out and was room mom for 2 of the boys classrooms and did what I could. I really like being involved with the schools for the kids sake and ours...

maryaherod, most schools have PTA's (parent teacher associations) where parents can volunteer to help at the school in different ways, and find out more about what's going on there. It's also a good way to meet other parents. If you're able, I'd strongly encourage you to get involved at your son's school, and it may help both of you to feel more comfortable in the new setting.

Thank you everyone for all your help, yes, he went from 4th grade elementary and now to 5th grade but they call it intermediate school/middle school...?? they have 5/6th grades there and then to 7th/8th at another school then high school...

It sounds like he's going from elementary school to middle school; is that right?

There's a BIG difference between middle school and elementary. Elementary school personnel tend to be more communicative with the parents, and there's usually a closer feeling between parents and teachers. Students usually have only one teacher for all subjects in elementary; in middle school, your son may have one teacher per subject, and moving from one classroom to another. At my son's middle school(s), the 6th grade students were placed in their own building, and had their own set of bathrooms.

Uniforms aren't that bad. There's always a difference of opinion on that. My daughter attended private school from Kindergarten through 12th grade, and wore uniforms the entire time. It makes getting dressed in the morning a lot easier! My son attends public school and doesn't have to wear a uniform (except for P.E.). Right now, he's not really into fashion, so getting ready is easy.

Please do check out the Middle School Parents group. You'll find many discussions on all kinds of topics.

Good luck to your son!

Thanks to the both of ya'll for the great input !!

Hi. In addition to the good suggestions that hockeymum already shared, you might want to join Greatschools Middle School Parents Group at community.greatschools.net/groups/11528

My best suggestion would be to download a map of the school layout. Our school has a link on the web page or just call the school secretary. We highlighted all her classes. She was able to mentally prepare the quickest route from point A to B for each class. She said it helped her so much to feel a bit more orientated the first few days.
If the school doesn't provide them, I would purchase him a planner for writing down all assignments.

There alot of sights if you google small talk. Helping him learn the art of striking up a conversation is priceless. I practiced this with my older daughter before high school. The easiest way is to complement the person. eg. I really like your watch, wheres it from? Nice shoes, where did you get them? ...I like that store but I hate going there with my mom..haha" (they need lines in which they can relate with others) So..I'm worried about the math classes have you heard any horror stories? I can't wait for computer class, I really want to try programming some games...
As you can see theres lots of opening lines you can help him practice to break the ice.