Welcome to Stell Middle School.!!! Parents: Though your child may barely be entering puberty and may still be a pre-teen, the transition to middle school is a big step on the road to maturity. A big, scary step. Regardless of what specific grade marks the beginning of middle school in your community, your child will be both excited and afraid. Researchers have found that students anticipating the move to middle school worry about three aspects of the change: logistical, social, and academic. Your child with learning or attention difficulties shares the same worries as her peers, and may be afraid the change will be even harder for her or him. While you won’t be able to calm your child’s fears completely, with some advance planning and open discussions you can substantially ease her mind. The first step is understanding what may worry your child. Please encourage your child to:
Encourage your child to join sports teams, clubs, or other extracurricular activities.
Encourage your child to join group conversations. Discuss how to join in without interrupting, to add something relevant to conversation in progress, etc.
Talk about traits that make a good friend (such as being a good listener).
Talk about social skills. Discuss how words and actions can affect other people.
Practice skills needed for difficult social situations.
Remind your child to make eye contact when speaking or listening.
Some tips to help ease her academic concerns:
If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), meet with the middle school IEP team no later than the spring before your child enters the new school. Discuss the qualities of the “ideal” teacher for your child to help ensure the best placements.
Meet with teachers early in the school year. Give them a profile of your child’s strengths and where she needs help.
Encourage teachers to continue using strategies that have worked for your child in the past, such as writing homework assignments on the board, or assigning your child a “homework buddy” she can contact if she forgets what her assignments are. If the school has a homework hotline, make sure your child knows how to use it.
Help your student with time management skills. Work together on a schedule for study time, break time, chores, etc.
Work out an organizational system with your student. Acknowledge and make allowances for her anxiety; at first, she may need to carry everything for all classes all the time in order to feel prepared.
Avoid overreacting to grades. Making sure your child gets a handle on how to meet the demands of the new school is the critical factor in the early weeks.
Stay connected to your child’s school work. Try to teach your student to work more independently while supporting her enough to give her confidence.
Go to back-to-school night, open houses, parent-teacher conferences and other events where you can connect with your child’s teachers.
Help your child be her own advocate. Encourage her to discuss problems and solutions with teachers on her own, but be ready to step in and help as needed.
Students: As you are preparing to become high school students, you will continue to learn many life lessons. Remember:
Don’t be afraid to fail. No, I don’t mean your classes. Take risks and try new things, join clubs, make new friends!
Ask questions
Keep reading and writing
Be kind
Get to know your teachers
If you have a problem, find an adult to help you.
Work to become financially independent.
Trust yourself
Believe…..
Believe in your self
Believe that you matter
Please come and visit with me for anything that you might need. Your Counselor, Ms. Vanessa Carranco
Choice Slips for 2017 - 2018
If you haven't done your 7th Grade Choice Slip please come see me!
V. Carranco
TexPREP Brownsville Campus Save the Dates!
February March April June-July February 28, 2017March 4, 2017 April 8, 2017 June 12- July 28 *Student Application Deadline *Math Test *Mandatory Student & TexPREP Summer Program March 13, 2017 Parent Orientation July 29, 2017 *Math Test Graduation/ Completion Ceremony March 17, 2017 Result letters go out to students March 31, 2017 Acceptance Packet Due
If any changes are made UTRGV will provide a notification prior to the event. If you have any questions or comments, please contact TexPREP at 956-665-3794