Dear Middle School Parents,

As we begin this second semester, now is a great time for your son to ask himself:

• How is the year going?
• What can I do to make things go more smoothly?
• Is there something I can do to become a better person?  Student?

These are great questions, and you can help your son by guiding him to some answers.  Regarding homework,  I often suggest to the boys that they tackle their most difficult work first.  Well, your sons might want to “tackle” what they consider the most difficult part of their day first.  After they recognize what part of the day is difficult for them, it would be helpful to offer some strategies that might help make things run a bit more smoothly.  Sometime doing such simple things as packing the schoolbag at night, organizing homework, or posting schedules can go a long way towards smoothing out the daily routine. 

Now would be an optimal time to assess homework help.  By now your sons should be quite familiar with the routine of the school, and should need less and less assistance with homework.  It is often helpful to review homework, but at this time most boys should not require detailed monitoring.  Because of busy schedules and outside activities, some guidance in time management might be helpful.

Students often express the desire to “study more” or “be more organized” in improving study habits.  While these are lofty and appropriate sentiments, your middle schooler  might need assistance in developing a concrete, measurable plan to help him put his strategies into practice. 

The resources below may offer some ideas for you or your son in developing a plan for improving performance.

http://www.how-to-study.com                                  

http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdyhlp.html

Super Study Skills by Laurie Rozakis (published by Scholastic)

The Middle School years can be a time of excitement, change and sometimes confusion.  As your son’s guidance counselors, Mr. Ellis and Mrs. Schreiner are ready to assist you or your son in any way possible. 

A gentle reminder that we will be hosting our annual Middle School Parents gathering on February 25, 2010, at 7:00 – 8:00 pm.  We will be meeting in Stewart Hall and hope to see you there for an evening of reflecting and strategizing on “Family Values in a Conflicting World”.  We look forward to seeing you there!  Look for further announcements in the Malvern Weekly.

Most sincerely,

Mary Schreiner, M.Ed.