Northeast Ohio Parent | Middle School Guide | October 2022

What Parents Need to Know About Middle School

By Georgia Lattas

Middle school begins the time where you watch your little son or daughter grow into a preteen. School changes, too, from curriculum to the environment. Here are some ways parents should know about the middle school years, and how they can help their preteen navigate their changing environment.

“The biggest differences between elementary school and middle school are that the buildings are much larger, which can be intimidating,” Todd Griffen, principal at Shiloh Middle School says. “This also means that students will be moving more throughout the day and having more teachers on their schedule than they might be used to in elementary school. Another big difference is the amount of students in their grade and in the building. Students go from 300 students in a building to 500 or more. This brings new friend groups, which again can be a big change for students.”

To ensure your child makes a smooth transition from elementary to middle school, knowing when to start looking at middle schools is a key step. If your local district’s middle school is from sixth through eighth grades, it is important to start looking for schools when your child is in fourth and fifth grade. Begin by shadowing at schools, meeting with admissions teams, and getting an overall feel of the environment.

Some schools might have an application process, whereas other schools don’t. Check in with the school you are interested in and find out what the enrollment process will look like and when you can begin applying.

“We don’t have an application process, but we do have the opportunity for students and families to choose a school that they would like to attend,” Griffen says. “Otherwise, based on boundary lines, students are slated to go to the middle school that is closest to their home. If they are trying to use the school of choice option, they fill out a form and state their reason for wanting to go to a different school. The principal then makes a choice on whether to accept that student or not.”

UNDERSTAND NEW ROUTINES

Some students may no longer have recess as they enter middle school. Students can

expect a variety of new subjects, which means new supplies. Check in with the teacher and determine if your child needs an advanced calculator, graphing paper, a protractor, or a laptop.

Also, kids might have something new in middle school — a locker. Remembering the combinations, opening it and staying organized can be tricky. Most schools provide opportunities for students to practice and fill their space before school starts.

Encourage your kids to practice at home with a lock and check-in with them on how it’s going throughout the first month of school. Also, before winter break, talk to them about bringing their locker contents home, as you might need to replenish supplies or ensure they are throwing away items.

ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE

Around middle school age, children should be able to do their homework independently and should study independently.

“I think the biggest area is to give their students an opportunity to find their own path, and know that especially at the start of the year it is probably going to be a bumpy road,”

Griffen says. He encourages kids to get involved with the various clubs and activities.

“Students need to have a chance to make their own way, and learn to advocate for themselves or ask questions if they are struggling with something,” he says. “The parents’ role in that is just to encourage students to get involved in any school activities, but also continue to support their child like they did in elementary school.”

GETTING HELP IF NEEDED

Many schools offer resources for students during the day if they are feeling anxious — coaches, teachers, and school counselors are often willing to talk and offer support and resources.

“Our goal is that every student is able to identify at least one support person in the building,” Griffen says.”

As students grow up and become preteens, their relationship with their parents might change. Students might become more distant and might not want to tell them everything about their day, as they once did in elementary school. This can be difficult for a

parent, especially if their child was close to them in the younger years.

“I think it’s good to recognize that your child is going to change as they enter middle school and grow over the years,” Griffen says. “This change is expected and with it will come some distant behavior, back talk, forgetfulness, and attitude. Knowing that these changes will occur and continuing to be a support system for your child is the most important thing that any parent can do. Have a nightly conversation about the most challenging thing that their student did that day, or a highlight from one of their classes will keep that connection between parent and student, and also allow the parent to learn a little about what is going on each day at school.”

Knowing what is going on in your child’s life is important. Many children hide a lot of aspects of their life from their parents – including if they are getting bullied.

“I encourage every family and student that if they are having trouble with another student or group of students to make sure that the office is aware of what is going on so that things can be put in place to make that situation better,” Griffen says.”

Middle school will be filled with new experiences and new opportunities – it is important to support your child in any way that you can.

“My best advice is that every new middle

schooler is feeling the exact same way, including myself for the first week of school,” Griffen says. “Everything is new and that can cause anxiety, but it can also bring on a lot of excitement if we are able to provide the right support for our students.  What I encourage all of our

new students and families to do is to communicate with us about what their student needs, and trust that we will work tirelessly to make their experience at middle school a positive one.”

At the School Guidance Office

SCHOOL COUNSELORS CAN HELP STUDENTS NAVIGATE ACADEMICS AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.

By Georgia Lattas

Recognizing you need to talk to someone takes great strength – knowing who to talk to can sometimes be a challenge. Luckily, for most students, a guidance coun selor is available throughout the school day that students can go to for advice, help, or even just to catch up. Guidance counselors can be a support system and resource for students of all ages. Parents should be aware of how counsel ors can help emotionally and academically sup port your child.

“Our main responsibility is to support the social and emotional well-being of our students during their tenure here,” says Mike Strauss, school counseling department chair at Saint Ignatius High School. “This may be as simple as helping students navigate their courses and academics, to difficult situations such as the loss of a family member, bullying, mental health is sues, or drug and alcohol issues.”

Depending on the school, some schools may

have only one guidance counselor for the entire student body, whereas other schools have half a dozen guidance counselors readily available to assist students any time they need. Both scenar ios have their pros and cons, but establishing a relationship with a guidance counselor you feel best can support your needs is important.

“Each counselor has roughly 250 students among the four grades,” Strauss says. “We break our students up by letters of the alphabet and assign the counselors that way.”

“We all kind of work as a team,” adds Alicia McLean, director of school counseling at Beau mont School. “We do divide by grade level, but if one of us isn’t available, we all kind of step in.”

Students shouldn’t be afraid to drop by the guidance counselor’s office and see if they are available to chat. Some counselors may prefer that students set up appointments with them beforehand, but most will not turn down a stu dent who is looking to chat.

“Students are free to drop in to see their counselors at any time,” Strauss says. “They can email us for appointments if that is easier.”

“We plan our day knowing that students will simply drop into our office and want to meet about things,” says Jeff Petrulis, school counsel or at Rocky River High School. “For those who do like to schedule appointments, they can send us an email. Either way, we try to balance our scripted programming and lessons along with just being available for students as needed.”

Some schools may require students to meet with their guidance counselor once a semester or once a year. Each first meeting will look differently depending on the school and the counselor, but most counselors will try to get to know the student during the first initial meet ing.

“There is no typical look to our first meet ing,” Strauss says. “Sometimes students come in with a crisis and are very open right away.

Others are hesitant to talk about things. We do our best to meet students where they are, and build a relationship of trust. Our philosophy is that we are our students’ biggest advocates on campus. Typically we will meet with our stu dents several times a year. We also see students in our advisory program, which is a program that gathers 12-15 students each week to go over social-emotional lessons and community building activities. Our students know that we are a resource for them. Some are frequent visi tors. Others drop in only once in a while.”

“It always looks a little different,” McLean adds. “If it’s something that’s pre-scheduled, the first meeting often is getting to know the student, getting to know their background aca demically, their family background, the things that they’re involved with, the challenges that they’re currently facing, their goals, etc. If it’s an unscheduled meeting, then it looks a little different. Then, it’s more of that direct ap proach to handling the problem at hand.”

Some students may not know what questions are off-limits to ask, or may feel uncomfortable opening up to their counselor. Students should share whatever they feel comfortable with.

“We let our students know that our place is a safe space,” Strauss says. “They can ask any kind of question, whether it deals with an ac ademic issue or a social/emotional issue. We have had simple questions like where a club meets, to serious issues about suicide or depres sion. We often give an analogy that we don’t know what a student is carrying in their back pack emotionally, so we are ready for just about anything.”

“We are very open,” McLean adds. “We en

“For some students, it’s helping them iden tify some clubs or sports activities they want to become involved with,” Petrulis says. “For us as counselors, we love to help students connect so that they really can engage in our school community, especially outside of the academic realm. We try to push them to find that school and community engagement.”

. “We can advise students based on their future plans or goals, which classes to take, when to challenge themselves, what electives might be fitting for them that they might en joy, things like that,” McLean adds. “We’re doing a lot of academic advising in that pro cess. We also are doing it throughout the year. We do weekly grade tracks on our end, where we’re monitoring our pool of students and we’re monitoring their grades on a weekly basis. We come together then, in a student service man agement team, and meet bi weekly, and we dis cuss any students who might need additional academic advising.

Guidance counselors are present to help support a child’s emotional and mental needs. School and other areas in teen life can be chal lenging, and guidance counselors are there to offer support and a helping hand to those who need it.

“If our students know they have a trusted adult on campus, they are more likely to feel engaged and safe at school,” Strauss says. “As school counselors, we also know our bound aries. We do not diagnose students or treat students’ mental health situations, but we can offer resources outside of the school to get pro fessional help.”

“I think you’ve got to bring it down to a

We continue to be in a competitive culture and are constantly working towards trying to be the best and to be involved in so many differ ent things. That is providing a lot of stress and anxiety and then social media is just adding to that, because they’re constantly exposed to what others are doing.”

Seeking help is not weak. It takes tremen dous strength and courage to ask for help from a trusted adult on campus. There is more good that comes out of reaching out for help rather than suffering in silence.

“The biggest advantage is for a student to learn that they are not alone in their high school journey, and that they have someone they can trust in case they face adversity,” Strauss says. “Our message to our students is that courage is not figuring high school out on your own or keeping your emotions inside. Rather, courage is having the ability to ask for help when you need help.

Some students may feel anxious about meet ing with the guidance counselor, which is com pletely normal. Do not be afraid to stop in and chat.

“Start with hello,” Petrulis adds. “Think of it as any other relationship. I would encourage them to remember that we’re on their side. Our goals are to help them accomplish their goals. We want to meet students where they are and then encourage them to make improvements along the way so that they can reach that level of self-efficacy as a young adult.

Some parents may be hesitant to let their child meet with the school counselor. It’s im

courage our students to be open with us. They can ask us anything in terms of their academ ics, their struggles, their challenges, their goal setting. We are the kind of people in the build ing that they can come to about any topic that they might not be comfortable talking about at home or with their peers or with teachers.”

Guidance counselors are also a great aca demic resource. Students can go to them for academic advice, what classes they should take, how to handle academic stress and anxiety, and a variety of other topics.

human level,” adds Carolyn Beeler, college counselor, at Our Lady of the Elms. “It’s very important to listen to what is most important to the student. The main issue that students are facing today is anxiety and stress. Students generally are feeling a lot of stress and anxiety with going through this pandemic. There have been disruptions in learning and disruptions in their emotional growth. So some of the stu dents might be a little bit behind in terms of their social emotional learning. That creates additional stress and anxiety for the students.

portant to remember that school counselors are there as a resource for your child, not to judge them or their family.

“We’re here to help,” Petrulis says. “That in cludes both students and parents. We do not push any sort of agenda or try to push them in any certain direction. It’s about providing information and knowledge and hopefully helping to build the student’s self-confidence so that they know they can achieve their future goals.”

Guidance counselors are present to help support a child’s emotional and mental needs. School and other areas in teen life can be challenging, and guidance counselors are there to offer support and a helping hand to those who need it.

Managing Middle School STRESS

By Elana Hunter

Surviving middle school can feel like juggling, and keeping all the balls in the air can be stressful: academic ac complishments, social demands, and changing appearances (hello, puberty!). The best way to avoid a meltdown is to recognize the early warning signs. Here are tried and true tips to guide your tween through these years:

FOCUS ON EFFORT: GRADES WILL FOLLOW

Instead of emphasizing grades, focus on how kids are learning. Mastering soft skills at this age will give them a strong foundation for the future: listening, concentrating, asking for help, managing time, and developing relation ships with teachers and peers. Learning how to learn will be applicable to every aspect of their lives, in high school, college, and beyond.

PROMOTE PERSEVERANCE:

EVERYONE FEELS FRUSTRATED SOMETIMES

For our children, facing challenges is a reg ular experience. You can help build resilience by showing your child that you believe in their ability to achieve difficult tasks. Reinforce that even the smart kids have to study, and that

frustration is a normal part of mastering a new concept. Finally, praise your child’s ability to stick with challenging tasks, and help them experience pride in their increasing abilities.

BUILD STRENGTHS:

WHERE DOES YOUR CHILD NATURALLY EXCEL?

If your child tends to focus on their weakness es, draw attention to their strengths. If your sixth grade daughter is a confident dancer and mathematician, she will be better prepared to handle a low grade on her social studies pre sentation. Instead of thinking, “I’m a failure,” help her contextualize the experience: “I’m a talented dancer and mathematician, but I need to work on my public speaking skills.”

KEEP YOUR CHILL: TEACH PROBLEM SOLVING

They might look like hip, independent teens, but tweens still look to their parents for cues about how to respond to the world around them. If they sense that their inability to turn in an assignment stresses you out, they are going to internalize your anxieties. Instead of leaping into a lecture on the merits of responsi ble behavior, help your child learn how to solve their own problems. Anxiety, at its heart, is an

overestimation of danger, and an underesti mation of competence to manage the danger. When your tween understands that it is a normal part of growing up to face challenges and tolerate frustration, you avoid meltdowns, stress-induced tummy aches, and lying about homework. That frees up more time for family board game nights, cooking experiments, and other fun, relaxing ways to spend the evening.

WARNING SIGNS OF TOO MUCH STRESS:

OVERWHELMED KIDS 101

• Lying to avoid homework and escape into video games: “I forgot my textbook at school.”

• Complaints of stomachaches and begging to stay home from school (when the pediatrician can’t find anything wrong).

• Moodiness, irritability, and defiance: “I won’t, you can’t make me, leave me alone!”

Elana Hunter, LPCC-S is the Clinical Director of Cleveland Health and Wellness Center. To learn more about the holistic mental health services available for children and families, visit clevelandhealthandwellness.org.

MIDDLE SCHOOL GUIDE Listings

CLEVELAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Cleveland Montessori has been serving the Little Italy and Greater Cleveland Community for over 25 years, providing an education for life, which celebrates diversity, growth and joy. Students from preschool through eighth grade are met with respect and compassion as they strive to meet their individual potential in beautifully prepared classrooms that offer social, emotional and academic experiences in a unique urban setting. Apply now for 2023-24. 216-421-0700, info@ clevelandmontessori.org, clevelandmontessori.org

CLEVELAND TRANSFORMATION ALLIANCE

A better way to find quality pub lic school options in Cleveland. Cleveland Transformation Alliance (CTA) is a reliable and trusted community partner providing families with tools and resources to help them make informed school choice decisions. Work with a CTA navigator today to create a personalized plan and find the best fit school for your family. mycleschool.org

GILMOUR ACADEMY

Gilmour’s Montessori toddler and preschool programs teach children how to learn. Students then move seamlessly into kindergarten through sixth grade, where they are provided endless possibilities to grow, with opportunities ranging from robotics to learning a new instrument each year, to service and nature-based learning. Students then progress to the middle and upper schools to expand on this foundation. As an independent, Catholic school, Gilmour is rooted in its mission to educate the mind and empower the heart of every student. gilmour.org

HAWKEN

Hawken’s lower and middle school programs

reflect the school’s dual commitment to academic and social curricula and focuses on building a strong foundation in basic academic skills with an increasing emphasis on personal responsibility. Recent renova tions support not only Hawken’s commit ment to truly knowing each student as a learner and individual, but also the school’s evolving personalized learning model. Every set of grade-level classrooms has access to an adjacent learning commons to support differentiated learning groups as well as collaborative and project-based approach es to learning. hawken.edu

HERSHEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Hershey Montessori School prepares

students to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Their Montessori approach to education is scientifically geared toward the student’s stages of natural child develop ment. This allows students to discover their individual strengths and master challenging concepts based on personal growth and interests. Hershey’s Concord Campus educates children from birth through sixth grade and their Huntsburg Campus educates adolescents from seventh through 12th grade. Tuition assistance and transpor tation are available. hershey-montessori.org

iSTEM

iSTEM, an independent, public, STEM school maximizes a student’s individual potential.

Students engage in a personally relevant and academically rigorous curriculum and are prepared for college and 21st century careers through problem-based interdisci plinary learning. iSTEM is open to students in sixth grade through 12th grade and is tuition-free. iSTEM can guide your child to “Think, Grow, and Be.” Join them Saturday, Oct. 22 from noon-2 p.m. to learn how your student can join the iSTEM school communi ty. 440-898-3283, istemghs.org

JULIE BILLIART SCHOOLS

Julie Billiart Schools, a private, Catholic network of kindergarten

through eighth grade schools in Akron, Lyndhurst, and Westlake, educate and empower children with mild to moderate autism, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning and social differences. JB cele brates potential, nurtures curiosity, and customizes teaching to their students’ unique learning styles. Students are surrounded by strategically designed classrooms, small student-to-teacher ratios, onsite therapies, and state-of-the-art technology. JB students are supported by onsite therapists and certified intervention specialists. juliebilliartschool.org

LAKE RIDGE ACADEMY

Lake Ridge Academy is an independent kindergarten through 12th grade college preparatory school. Strong academic programs, engaging faculty, and an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio creates an educational environment that fuels a student’s passion for learning. Lower School students learn to think critically through a rich, hands-on curriculum that connects them to the natural world. Special emphasis is placed on social-emotional learning and cultural appreciation through world language classes. Their fall K-12 preview day will be Oct. 24. Register at lakeridgeacademy.org

Listings

MENLO PARK ACADEMY

Menlo Park Academy is the state’s only tuition-free school for gifted children in kindergarten through eighth grade. The school offers an innovative, accelerat ed curriculum, including nine highschool-credit classes, the opportunity to learn alongside like-minded peers, and a faculty dedicated to meeting the unique needs of gifted children. Students can explore their passions, build friendships, and find belonging as well as academic and social emotional success. Menlo Park Academy is the No. 1 charter elementary, No. 1 charter middle school, ranked No.13 of all kindergarten through fifth grade Ohio public schools (niche.com).

menloparkacademy.com

OUR SHEPHERD LUTHERAN SCHOOL

OSLS has been joyfully serving the community for four decades. They have a highly-educated and caring staff that engages students with innovative programs and hands-on learning while remaining dedicated to the faith formation of students in a loving, Christ-centered environment. They are a kindergarten through eighth grade Christian school housed in the Zion Lutheran Church campus and have a low teacher-student ratio resulting in a greater focus on individual student’s needs.

oslpainesville.org

GUIDE Listings

RUFFING MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Ruffing Montessori School in Cleveland Heights is more than just a school for children ages 18 months through eighth grade. It is a beloved community where children are guided by experienced montessori-trained teachers and immersed in a rigorous curriculum. Explore their beautiful classrooms and see why Ruffing is the compelling school of choice for so many at the admissions open house on Nov. 12 from noon-2 p.m. Register at ruffingmontessori.net or call 216-321-7571.

SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Seton Catholic School (pre-kinder garten through grade eight) is a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School. A lifetime love of learning starts here! Young hearts and minds develop into thoughtful, educated students - ready to thrive and grow. Immersed in the humanities, arts and sciences, foreign languages, mathematics, and environmental education - students are nurtured in a setting of constructive and personalized learning. Innovation and tradition unite with guided responsible use of technology, successfully integrated with time-honored instruction. setoncatholicschool.org

Listings

ST. HILARY SCHOOL

The Future Begins Here. St. Hilary School in Fairlawn serves students in grades kinder garten through eighth grade in a faith-based environment with a curriculum that challeng es and accommodates diverse learning abilities. The average student-teacher ratio is 19:1. Special offerings include Spanish, French, Chinese, religion, art, music, physical education, technology, advanced math, and enrichment opportunities. Many extracurricular activities, as well as auxiliary, remedial, clinic, lunch, and extended care services, are available. Chromebooks, a makerspace and science lab put the school at the forefront of STEM learning. 330-867-8720, ext. 343, st-hilaryschool.org

ST. SEBASTIAN PARISH SCHOOL

St. Sebastian Parish School focuses on its mission statement of “excellence in education and commitment to Christ.”

While its Christ-centered approach is its focus, their STEM designation from the State of Ohio puts the school at the forefront of education. Students participate in hands-on problem-based learning that is cross-curricular and features collaboration and critical thinking. They have the opportunity to learn about coding and 3-D printing in the Technology Learning Lab and the 1:1 Chromebook program provides technology that personalizes the learning environ ment. stsebastian.org

Tours, free Workshops, & Contests for Middle & High School Students!

The 15th Annual Stop the Hate: ® Youth Speak Out essay contest and Youth Sing Out song writing contest cele brates students committed to creating a more accepting, inclusive society. Each year, through the generosity of a donor, the Maltz Museum awards $100,000 in scholarships and anti-bias education grants in recognition of 6–12th grade upstanders. Will you or your school be the next winner?

To learn more about the Stop the Hate program please visit learn.maltzmuseum.org

LEARN.MALTZMUSEUM.ORG

Ways to Make Halloween Inclusive for All Children

“The Teal Pumpkin Project is a simple way to make trick-or-treating safer and more inclusive for the one in 13 children living with food allergies, and many others impacted by intolerances and other conditions,” according to FoodAllergy. org. “Placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep signals that, in addition to can dy, you offer non-food trinkets and treats that are safe for all trick or treaters.”

Here are some non-candy ideas to put on your Halloween buying list:

• Glow sticks, bracelets or necklaces

• Halloween pencils and erasers

• Stickers

• Mini notepads

• Bubbles

• Bouncy balls

Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month this OctoberCelebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month this October

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (known as NDEAM).

It’s a time to highlight the important role that people of all abilities play in the workforce. Summit DD believes that employment opportunities for people with disabilities ensures a diverse workforce and helps strengthen communities – now and into the future.

Summit DD works year-round to build relationships with community partners that promotes equity and opportunity for people with developmental disabilities. Some of our employmentrelated initiatives and partnerships include:

• Summer Youth Work Program helps teens gain on-the-job work experience

• Transition-age job exploration programs at local high schools prepare teens for their futures

• Our Summit County Employment Collaborative helps employers and jobseekers with disabilities prepare, find and fill open positions

• Free inclusion training for local organizations helps businesses support their employees of every ability

Take the next Step

Wondering how you can make an impact? Visit SummitDD.org to schedule free trainings, connect to job seekers learn about programs and meet people who are already making a difference in their communities.

Zoothing Boo at the Zoo. The Akron Zoo will open an hour early for people with different abilities who don’t like crowds or loud noises to trick-ortreat. Tickets are separate from general admission Boo at the Zoo. October 29, 9:30-10:30 a.m. akronzoo.org

PHOTOS

COURTESY OF SUMMIT

For children with special needs, try this sensory-friendly trick-or-treat outing.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AKRON ZOO

Thank

EDUCATION & STEM