Pioneer Middle School

THE ADVENTURES

OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Today’s objectives:

To introduce you to Pioneer Middle School

To ease your mind about your child’s transition into Middle School To offer tips and suggestions for you to

get the most out of the next 3 years, addressing academics and the social growth of your child

INTRODUCING KEY PERSONNEL

Mentors will lead an organized activity using the student binder reminder at the blue lunch tables.

Students and mentors will compete in teams to complete the Boot Camp Scavenger Hunt.

HAVE FUN!

HAVE FUN WITH YOUR MENTORS!

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A MIDDLE SCHOOL ACADEMIC COUNSELOR?

Our goals and objectives align with the school’s mission statement.

We focus on the development of three domains: Academic Career Personal/Social Development

What does this look like? Guidance curriculum in the classroom One on one with families and students Collaborate with teachers for academic interventions

We utilize research-based best practices.

PIONEER MIDDLE SCHOOL WHAT DO WE STAND FOR?

Our Mission: To maximize ALL students’

academic potential and personal responsibility

Our Beliefs: R.E.A.L. Wildcats R.O.A.R. All students are capable of

learning at high levels All students have access to

interventions Middle school success is

not just about academics… personal/social growth is important, too

Bell Schedules Parking Lot – for student safety, please follow the traffic pattern. Traffic – it gets CRAZY after 7:30.

Personal Deliveries No deliveries to classrooms; regular lunch delivery is frowned upon.

Absences Attendance correlates to school success, whereas absenteeism

correlates to school failure (including dropping out). 15-20 absences is considered chronic (Child Trends Data bank, 2014).

1 day absent = 7 periods missed = 7 lessons missed Dress Code

Focus on dressing to learn in comfortSchool to Home Communication

Please allow 24-48 for either a phone or an email response from teachers and staff.

Conference structure is different than in elementary school.

THINGS TO KNOW!

Aeries Parent Portal Activity on Portal correlates to student success

Binder Reminder Wealth of information in first section Tutorial stamping

Website Updated regularly Visit all tabs

Coffee with the Counselors Monthly presentations by counselors or speakers on current “hot

topics”Social media

THINGS TO KNOW…

Physical changes More development happens now than any other time in life, other

than first two years The brain is not fully developed until age 25

Intellectual development Concrete logic to analytical thought Ability to argue a position, question authority, understand

sophisticated levels of humor (sarcasm)Social/emotional transition

Move from accepting adult moral judgment to developing personal values

Searching for an adult identity while still seeking peer approval Shift from emulating parents to emulating peers, although parents

still play key role in final decision making

(2013, Caskey, Anfara, Jr.)

THE MIDDLE SCHOOLER:NO LONGER A CHILD, NOT YET AN ADULT

SHIFT TO GROWTH MINDSET

Shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset Fixed = inherent intelligence

determines future Growth = abilities are due to actions

How does this impact our students? Fixed = “I didn’t get an A so I must be

stupid…” Growth = “I didn’t get an A but I

learned so much!”

Teens battle with parents to dismantle parental authority, but they are not ready to be on their own.

The brain is not fully developed until age 25; the prefrontal cortex (the decision-making area of the brain) develops last.(AAA, 2013) (UCLA 2013)

The lack of life experience results in teens seeing day-to-day existence, not long-term perspective.

The more teens feel that they are truly on their own, the more vulnerable they become.

THE NEED FOR BOUNDARIES

Teens and tweens are on social media in alarming numbers.Connected 24/7 to peers and the Internet.Doctors recommend a maximum of two hours of Internet time

per day, however most students report being connected for longer periods of time.

FOMO – Fear of Missing Out – teens feel a real sense that something could happen in the world, and they don’t want it to happen without them.

Popular Sites for teens include Facebook, Instagram, ask.fm, Yik Yak, Twitter, YouTube, SnapChat, Tumblr and …

More to come on this topic at our monthly Coffee with the Counselors

SOCIAL MEDIA

Helicopter Parents, Snow Plow Parents, Glider Parents

What used to be a tongue-in-cheek label now has data to support unfortunate outcomes for young adults. Intrusive parenting interferes with the development of autonomy

and competence. (Donatone, 2014) “Glide” children through the success and challenges of young

adulthood.

Today’s teens need: greater tolerance for uncertainty more flexibility balance conflict management skills ability to deal with disappointment

TEENS AND COPING SKILLS

Academic support Encourage daily

attendance Attend parent

programs Help with and model

time good management and organization skills

Make homework your child’s responsibility

Encourage independent problem solving

Social/Emotional support Be involved and

informed Communicate with

your child Teach responsibility Provide appropriate

consequences Understand their

technology

ADVICE FOR PARENTS

Traffic is terrible!!

Drive with a smile and patience and we will all be much safer!

WE’RE NOT KIDDING…