Advice for rising 7th grader/middle school?

[Anonymous]

Another idea: Have your child make a cheat sheet for each class/ teacher and keep them in the front of that binder/folder.

Include things like:
-class period/ room number/teacher name
-which day the teacher stays after school for extra help
-special rules in that class
-special supplies required for that class

It can be hard to adjust to 7 teachers after having one classroom teacher in elementary school so this can help!

-another MS teacher

[Anonymous]

Make two index cards with the odd and even schedule to carry with them or go in their binders so they know where to go next. It also helps having a map. I believe the first period is always the same so they can wake up first and then figure out where to go next. The bad thing is you don't get the schedule until the last minute so then you are scrambling to figure it out and help your kid remember it, but I think they have people helping lost kids (?). Also the lunch schedule is weird and I don't know how that works. And the classes do not end at usual round numbers like 10:00 am. It's always a weird time like 9:47 or 10:23.

[Anonymous]

If your child is a girl, pick a pocket of the backpack and always have pads and tampons (if she uses them). Even if she doesn’t have her period that week, a friend or girl sitting next to her in class will be very grateful if she has one to give if they need it. It’s a change from elementary school where they might have had a bathroom in the room with a teacher who always had these stocked.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, don’t stress about grades. They do not matter in middle school. Of course you want to do your best though. Choose your friends wisely as they could eventually become your life long friends. Odds are, the teachers will not care about you. You are 1 of 200 students to a teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make two index cards with the odd and even schedule to carry with them or go in their binders so they know where to go next. It also helps having a map. I believe the first period is always the same so they can wake up first and then figure out where to go next. The bad thing is you don't get the schedule until the last minute so then you are scrambling to figure it out and help your kid remember it, but I think they have people helping lost kids (?). Also the lunch schedule is weird and I don't know how that works. And the classes do not end at usual round numbers like 10:00 am. It's always a weird time like 9:47 or 10:23.

First period meets first on blue days.
Second period meets first on gold days.

[Anonymous]

OP, my kid just finished 7th at Robinson and had a great experience. The MS teachers above have already given you good advice on organization, but I’d strongly second the suggestion on getting involved. There are so many after school options, and it’s a fantastic way to meet people and build confidence, especially early on, even if they try things that don’t stick.

My daughter loved her teachers, and I’d add that the librarians are awesome—they have all kinds of activities to get the kids engaged.

The size of the school might seem daunting, but it really doesn’t feel that way. Good luck to your kid!