About Starting Middle Schoo l What Every Student Should Know

You Are Starting Middle School

It gives students: OPPORTUNITIES: You’ll have a chance to: meet new people develop new skills & interests think about your goals for the future Congratulations! Middle School is a special place.

Middle School Gives Students: MORE INDEPENDENCE You May Also have a chance to: choose classes and activities that interest you pick your own topics for long term assignments, such as research projects and book reports MORE INDEPENDENCE You May Also have a chance to: choose classes and activities that interest you pick your own topics for long term assignments, such as research projects and book reports

Middle School Gives Students: You’ll also be given more responsibilities. Middle school gives you a chance to show how much YOU HAVE GROWN! You’ll also be given more responsibilities. Middle school gives you a chance to show how much YOU HAVE GROWN!

STARTING MIDDLE SCHOOL IS A BIG STEP It means you’re getting older. It’s OK to feel: EXCITED: There is a lot to look forward to! NERVOUS: Starting middle school can be a little scary Do not worry--lots of other students will be feeling nervous, too! SAD: It can be hard if you aren’t in the same classes with some of your old friends. But, you will have a chance to make new friends in Middle school. It means you’re getting older. It’s OK to feel: EXCITED: There is a lot to look forward to! NERVOUS: Starting middle school can be a little scary Do not worry--lots of other students will be feeling nervous, too! SAD: It can be hard if you aren’t in the same classes with some of your old friends. But, you will have a chance to make new friends in Middle school.

HOW IS MIDDLE SCHOOL DIFFERENT? In lots of ways! bigger For one thing, it may be much bigger than your old school. And, you will have: In lots of ways! bigger For one thing, it may be much bigger than your old school. And, you will have:

DIFFERENT CLASSES You will go to a different classroom for each subject. You’ll need to learn where each class is, and what time it starts. Don’t worry, you’ll find your way in no time! You will go to a different classroom for each subject. You’ll need to learn where each class is, and what time it starts. Don’t worry, you’ll find your way in no time!

NEW RULES It’s you’re responsibility to learn what the rules are. Read the student handbook. It’s you’re responsibility to learn what the rules are. Read the student handbook.

A BUSIER SCHEDULE You will have 4 minutes transition time from one class to the next. You have 30 minutes of lunch time. You will have 4 minutes transition time from one class to the next. You have 30 minutes of lunch time.

YOUR OWN LOCKER Instead of having a desk to store your things in, you will have a locker. You’ll be responsible for keeping it neat. Instead of having a desk to store your things in, you will have a locker. You’ll be responsible for keeping it neat.

MORE CLASSMATES There may be different students in every class you have. Some may be from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Some teachers have students work in groups. This a good chance to make new friends. There may be different students in every class you have. Some may be from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Some teachers have students work in groups. This a good chance to make new friends.

MORE TEACHERS You will have different teachers for every class. It can be fun to have more than one teacher. You will have different teachers for every class. It can be fun to have more than one teacher.

MORE CHOICES You can take part in extracurricular activities, such as: ➡ the drama club ➡ the school newspaper ➡ a sport ➡ band, orchestra or choir Some groups may go on field trips to museums and other interesting places. You can take part in extracurricular activities, such as: ➡ the drama club ➡ the school newspaper ➡ a sport ➡ band, orchestra or choir Some groups may go on field trips to museums and other interesting places.

MORE HOMEWORK This is a part of your growing responsibility.

GETTING ORGANIZED IS YOUR TICKET TO SUCCESS. MAKE REMINDERS Use a different section in your notebook for each class. On the front of each section, write the: name and room number of the class teacher’s name time when the class meets Or, use separate notebooks. Follow the same tips listed above. MAKE REMINDERS Use a different section in your notebook for each class. On the front of each section, write the: name and room number of the class teacher’s name time when the class meets Or, use separate notebooks. Follow the same tips listed above.

USE AN ASSIGNMENT BOOK Use it to keep track of when things are due. take it to every class write down when you have meetings or practices, too Calendars are also helpful! Use it to keep track of when things are due. take it to every class write down when you have meetings or practices, too Calendars are also helpful!

BE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR ASSIGNMENTS ASK If you have a question, ASK! Other students may have the same question. ASK If you have a question, ASK! Other students may have the same question.

KEEP YOUR LOCKER NEAT A messy licker can slow you down and make you late for class. Stopping to talk to friends at your locker can, too. Try to keep conversations brief. Remember you only have 4 minutes! A messy licker can slow you down and make you late for class. Stopping to talk to friends at your locker can, too. Try to keep conversations brief. Remember you only have 4 minutes!

MAKE TIME FOR HOMEWORK SET UP A SPECIAL TIME EACH DAY. THEN: Find a quiet place to work. Make sure it has plenty of light. Get the supplies you need before you start. Do not take phone calls or text messages. Ask family members not to disturb you. If you have a study hall, use the time to start your assignments. SET UP A SPECIAL TIME EACH DAY. THEN: Find a quiet place to work. Make sure it has plenty of light. Get the supplies you need before you start. Do not take phone calls or text messages. Ask family members not to disturb you. If you have a study hall, use the time to start your assignments.

BREAK BIG PROJECTS INTO SMALLER ONES It can make a heavy workload easier to manage. For example, for a research project, collect research one week, take notes the next, and begin writing the next.

PREPARE THE NIGHT BEFORE It will save time in the morning: You should: Check your assignment book. Make sure you finish assignments that are due the next day. Pack your schoolbag after you finish your homework. Get your clothes ready before you go to bed. GETTING ORGANIZED TAKES PRACTICE. BUT YOU’LL SOON SEE IT’S WORTH THE EFFORT. Check your assignment book. Make sure you finish assignments that are due the next day. Pack your schoolbag after you finish your homework. Get your clothes ready before you go to bed. GETTING ORGANIZED TAKES PRACTICE. BUT YOU’LL SOON SEE IT’S WORTH THE EFFORT.

MAKE NEW FRIENDS You may feel a little lonely if you aren’t in the same classes as your old friends. Here are some ideas for getting to know people:

BE FRIENDLY People are more likely to say hello to a friendly face. If someone smiles at you, smile back. Say hi and introduce yourself. People are more likely to say hello to a friendly face. If someone smiles at you, smile back. Say hi and introduce yourself.

BE A GOOD LISTENER When you meet someone, show an interest in what the person likes to do. Ask questions, too.

GET INVOLVED It’s a great way to make friends and meet interesting people. Join a team or club, or do volunteer work.

BE YOURSELF Trying to impress people usually backfires. Be honest about what you like to do. Remember, it’s OK to be different.

IMPROVE YOUR SELF-ESTEEM Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself. You can build your self-esteem by: Setting goals doing things you enjoy taking pride in your efforts. High self-esteem can help you feel more confident when you meet others. Setting goals doing things you enjoy taking pride in your efforts. High self-esteem can help you feel more confident when you meet others.

BE A GOOD FRIEND Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Everyone deserves respect! Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Everyone deserves respect!

TEACHER CAN BE FRIENDS, TOO Your teachers want to help you do well. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you feel uncomfortable talking in class, ask after class. Tell your teacher as soon as you have any troubles. Don’t worry if you don’t make friends right away. Building good friendships can take time. Your teachers want to help you do well. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you feel uncomfortable talking in class, ask after class. Tell your teacher as soon as you have any troubles. Don’t worry if you don’t make friends right away. Building good friendships can take time.

LEARN ABOUT PEER PRESSURE Negative peer pressure is when people try to get you to do things you don’t want to. At times, you may feel pressure to: ๏ CHEAT ๏ SKIP SCHOOL OR CUT CLASS ๏ USE ALCOHOL, TOBACCO OR OTHER DRUGS ๏ BRING WEAPONS TO SCHOOL Negative peer pressure is when people try to get you to do things you don’t want to. At times, you may feel pressure to: ๏ CHEAT ๏ SKIP SCHOOL OR CUT CLASS ๏ USE ALCOHOL, TOBACCO OR OTHER DRUGS ๏ BRING WEAPONS TO SCHOOL

CHEAT Classmates may try to pressure you to let them see your work. Cheating will not help them in the long run. And, it may get both of you in trouble. Classmates may try to pressure you to let them see your work. Cheating will not help them in the long run. And, it may get both of you in trouble.

SKIP SCHOOL OR CUT CLASS Friends may try to pressure you to leave school with them. Remember, missing classes can hurt your grades and your school record.

USE ALCOHOL, TOBACCO OR OTHER DRUGS Some people use drugs to try to prove they’re tough or grown- up. Drugs don’t prove anything. They lonly lead to trouble.

BRING WEAPONS TO SCHOOL Having a weapon will not make you tough, or give you protection. Weapons only hurt people--including the people who bring them to school.

Here are some things you can do to refuse peer pressure ๏ SAY NO Tell the person you don’t want to. ๏ LEAVE If you feel uncomfortable, walk away. ๏ GIVE A REASON You can say you: ๏ have to get to class ๏ promised to meet someone right after school ๏ don’t want to get caught. ๏ SAY NO Tell the person you don’t want to. ๏ LEAVE If you feel uncomfortable, walk away. ๏ GIVE A REASON You can say you: ๏ have to get to class ๏ promised to meet someone right after school ๏ don’t want to get caught.

REMIND YOURSELF OF THE CONSEQUENCES Breaking school rules can get you and your friends into serious trouble. Alcohol and other drugs are against the law. Weapons such as guns and knives are, too. None of these are allowed on school property. You can be suspended or expelled for having them. It’s always OK to say No to something you don’t want to do. Resisting peer pressure is a sign of strength and independence! Breaking school rules can get you and your friends into serious trouble. Alcohol and other drugs are against the law. Weapons such as guns and knives are, too. None of these are allowed on school property. You can be suspended or expelled for having them. It’s always OK to say No to something you don’t want to do. Resisting peer pressure is a sign of strength and independence!

YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY Lots of students starting middle school worry about how they will be treated. Here are some things to watch out for:

BULLIES Most bullies pick on others because it makes them feel powerful. They may use physical or verbal attacks to hurt others. Often, bullies have problems of their own.

GANGS Gangs often take part in violent and criminal activities. Joining a gang is never the answer to a problem. Gang can mean big trouble for you and your family.

GETTING TO SCHOOL SAFELY Whether you walk or take the bus, it’s important to learn the safest way to get to school. Remember, there are people at school you can go for help. Whether you walk or take the bus, it’s important to learn the safest way to get to school. Remember, there are people at school you can go for help.

There are lots of ways to stay safe. Follow these tips: STAY ALERT AVOID GOING TO PLACES ALONE DON’T FIGHT BACK BUILD YOUR SELF-ESTEEM Follow these tips: STAY ALERT AVOID GOING TO PLACES ALONE DON’T FIGHT BACK BUILD YOUR SELF-ESTEEM

STAY ALERT Be aware of your surrounding. Avoid going to places where you know bullies or gang members hang out.

AVOID GOING TO PLACES ALONE Walk the halls with your friends. Avoid empty halls, classrooms and bathrooms. Walk to school with a friend, if possible. If you ride the bus, try to sit near the front. Walk the halls with your friends. Avoid empty halls, classrooms and bathrooms. Walk to school with a friend, if possible. If you ride the bus, try to sit near the front.

DON’T FIGHT BACK Verbal and physical violence is never the answer to a problem. And, some could get seriously hurt. If you feel threatened, walk away or tell an adult.

BUILD YOUR SELF- ESTEEM Feeling good about yourself can help make dealing with gangs and bullies a lot easier. And, it can give you the strength to walk away.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS What if I feel too much stress or pressure? Talk to an adult you trust, such as: a parent a teacher a counselor an older brother or sister Talking about your problems is the first step toward solving the. What if I feel too much stress or pressure? Talk to an adult you trust, such as: a parent a teacher a counselor an older brother or sister Talking about your problems is the first step toward solving the.

What will the cafeteria be like? It may be bigger and seat more students. That’s why it’s a good place to meet people. Look for a friendly face, or students you recognize from your classes. Or, before lunch begins, ask a classmate to sit with you. Note: If you buy your lunch spend wisely. Make healthy choices. It may be bigger and seat more students. That’s why it’s a good place to meet people. Look for a friendly face, or students you recognize from your classes. Or, before lunch begins, ask a classmate to sit with you. Note: If you buy your lunch spend wisely. Make healthy choices.

Will there be more competition? You may start to care more about your grades. Or, you may feel like you are competing with your friends. Do well for yourself, not others. If you feel you’re being pushed too hard, talk to a parent, teacher or counselor.

Soo--- MAKE THE MOST OF MIDDLE SCHOOL GET ORGANIZED Schedule time for homework and other activities TRY NEW THINGS Join a club or take a class that interest you MEET NEW PEOPLE Get involved in school life. AVOID TROUBLE Stay away from gangs and people who pressure you to do things you don’t want to. GET ORGANIZED Schedule time for homework and other activities TRY NEW THINGS Join a club or take a class that interest you MEET NEW PEOPLE Get involved in school life. AVOID TROUBLE Stay away from gangs and people who pressure you to do things you don’t want to.

You’re on your way to a great middle school experience! You’re on your way to a great middle school experience!