Middle School Orientation
School starts Monday so we went over to the Middle School yesterday for orientation. It was a really good experience for all the parents and kids. We are all going into Monday with a much better sense of confidence.
Our Middle School did a great job putting on the orientation and you can tell the teachers love being there. Here are just a few things I thought they did exceptionally well:
- The school’s principal, vice principal and front office administration were all highly visible and talking with parents and students.
- Rather than cram us all into an auditorium and talk at us, they set up orientation as a self guided tour.
- Homeroom assignments were clearly posted in more than one place in each grade’s hallway.
- Students had to visit homeroom in order to get locker assignments and schedules.
- The grade levels are all broken in to “teams” - with a core group of teachers assigned to each team. In the sixth grade wing each team has its own hallway which makes for easy access to their lockers and a chance for the kids to get to know all the teachers and kids on their team better and more effectively.
- Students purchased PE uniforms and lunch credits in their respective areas and their was sufficient staff to keep you from having to wait in line too long.
First impressions are so important and our Middle School went a long way to easing first day jitters for parents and students by holding such a well organized event.
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3 opinions for Middle School Orientation
Neena
Aug 25, 2007 at 9:34 pm
What a great way to ease the incoming 6th graders (and their parents) into the world of middle school. My son’s middle school is taking a different approach. The orientation is “kids only”. No parents.
I know we have to start letting go as the kids get older but this is more than I expected. As a parent I would have appreciated the opportunity to meet the teachers and get a feel for my child’s schedule. Although, I know that it will all work out fine.
char
Aug 26, 2007 at 5:35 am
I know a few schools that did it kid only. My son liked having us there to help him sort out his locker, get the right sized PE uniform and meet the teachers. I have a really good sense of his schedule and can help him create a plan to keep him better organized.
Aurelia
Aug 26, 2007 at 1:56 pm
What a great idea! I wish more middle schools would do this. It sounds like a great way to ease some of the anxieties and fears that students and parents may be feeling.
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