Understanding Middle Schoolers: Navigating Developmental Challenges
Dive into the world of middle schoolers, exploring their diverse characteristics, developmental needs, and challenges. Discover the essential promise of supporting these students as they navigate the complexities of adolescence, with insights from educators and experts. Learn how to advocate for middle schoolers by understanding their unique journey and supporting their growth in intellectual, social, emotional, and physical domains.
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Presentation Transcript
Welcome to Ellicott Mills Welcome to Ellicott Mills Middle School Middle School
Introductions Introductions Christopher Christopher Rattay Rattay, , Principal Principal Michele Doyle Michele Doyle- -Wetzelberger Principal Principal Wetzelberger, , Assistant Assistant Elizabeth Campbell, Elizabeth Campbell, Sixth Grade Team Leader Leader Sixth Grade Team Katie Katie Rusu Rusu, , 6 6th thGrade School Counselor Grade School Counselor
Todays Agenda Today s Agenda The Promise What is a middle schooler? School procedures: Schedule Cafeteria Transportation Important folks to know Save the dates! Dismiss to homeroom
The Promise The essential promise of America where you start, should not and will not determine how far you go. - Barack Obama, 2014
What is a middle schooler? Good question. There are as many different answers as there are middle schoolers. Collection of opposing qualities: loud, quiet, disorganized, tidy, funny, serious, secretive, tell-all, etc., etc., etc., [Middle schoolers] straddle two worlds and that defines a lot of who they are during this time of their life and how they function as learners (p. xvi). - Heather Wolpert-Gawron, 2011
What is a middle schooler? Each year in a middle schooler s life is distinct from the others. Each year bringing new challenges and opportunities. The human brain develops from back to front. The area of the brain that possesses the skills they need to be most successful, the frontal lobes, develops last. During this time, as the frontal lobes reformat, students struggle with the executive skills of organization, time management, inhibitory control, and working memory.
So what do we do as their advocates? Another great question! As their parents and teachers, we deepen our understanding of their developmental needs and add a healthy dose of patience to that endeavor. We work together as partners to fulfill our promise to our children.
So what do we do as their advocates? Student Growth Intellectual, social, emotional, and physical Supporting their development of self-confidence and self-advocacy by including their voice and decisions Expanding their social capacity and emotional growth Experiencing the WOW! of an intellectual discovery with them Applying their skills to real-world situations Realizing that growth is non-linear, different rates for all students Understanding that we teach a whole child
School Procedures A Sample Schedule:
School Procedures Cafeteria Updates: Breakfast ($2) Lunch ($3.25) Oops! Forgot my lunch. Now what? (Thank you, Mary Campbell, Cafeteria Manager!) Myschoolbucks.com Pre-pay/ Free & reduced paperwork in first day folders
School Procedures Transportation: Bus lists are posted on the HCPSS website under Transportation https://www.infofinderi.com Students MUST ride the bus to which they are assigned Drop-off/pick-up procedures What if your child needs to ride a different bus for childcare?
Important People to Know Front Office Jennifer Johnson, Principal s Secretary EMMS Website Karen Good and Joan Alagna, School Secretaries emergency information, Lobby Guard, required forms, field trip information, school e-newsletter Stacey Naecker, Registered Nurse Tonya Barksdale, Health Assistant OTC medication, medical forms, extended trips (outdoor education), special concerns
Important People to Know Student Services Katie Rusu, 6thGrade Counselor Karl Friedheim, 7thGrade Counselor Rachel Schwaab, 8thGrade Counselor Ellen Rice, Student Services Secretary late arrivals, early dismissals, absences, conferences Jen Young, Data Clerk scheduling, HCPSS Connect, Canvas
Ellicott Mills Middle School PTA EMMS PTA will spend about $50 per student EMMS PTA will spend about $50 per student this year this year Board members and Casual Volunteers needed needed Newly re- -designed website designed website Now accepts online donations online donations Funds go to Teacher Mini- -grants, Eighth Grade Celebration, Hospitality and STEM Events Celebration, Hospitality and STEM Events Please join or donate ~ Thanks! Board members and Casual Volunteers Newly re Now accepts Funds go to Teacher Mini grants, Eighth Grade Please join or donate ~ Thanks!
Outdoor Education North Bay October 4thto October 6th Parent night September 7th, 6:30 7:30, Cafetorium Students will receive information through homeroom the first week of school
Save the Date ODE Parent Night, September 7th @ 6:30 Back-to-School Night, September 14th @ 6:30 Outdoor Education at North Bay, October 4th to 6th PTA Meeting, TBA Picture Day, September 27th
Dismiss to Homeroom Last Names HR Location Adil Brighton Brogno Cucuzella Dacombe Goldman Goodman Jensen Ji Kuo Lee Mizer Mohsen Paul Pillai Scoby Shafie Thakar Varala Zink Busch, Cliff, Sugar ART Sci Lab 2 Portable #1 CR 2 Sci Lab 1 CR 5 CR 1 CR 7 CR 4 CR 3 CR 57
