1. Harbour View Grade 5 Parent Meeting Transitioning from Elementary to Middle School By Crista Jones Jan.11, 2016

2. Como Lake Middle School  The majority of Harbour View students will attend Como Lake Middle as it is the regular catchment for many students at Harbour View.  There will be a Grade 5 parent meeting in the spring and students will attend the Grade 5 tour of their middle school around the same time.

3. Ecole Moody Middle School  Late French Immersion – Parent Information Meeting is on Tuesday, January 12 th at 7pm. Moody Middle is also a designated school of the arts where they integrate arts programs into their school schedule.  If you wish to apply to any late French immersion program, you must apply online at www.sd43.bc.ca from Jan.14 at 9am until Jan.21st at 4pm.www.sd43.bc.ca

4. Banting Middle School  Late French Immersion – Parent Information Meeting is Wednesday, Jan.13 th at 7pm. Banting visited those Harbour View students interested in the program on Thursday, Jan. 7 th.

5. Montgomery Middle School  Continuation of Montessori – application was sent via email to Grade 5 parents of Harbour View.  Late Montessori Parent Meeting on Tuesday, January 19 th at 7pm. Application also sent via email to Harbour View Grade 5 parents.  Grade 5 parent information meeting for all Montgomery students will be in the spring as will the Grade 5 tour.

6. Scott Creek Middle School  Late Montessori program – information meeting will be held at the Montgomery information meeting on Tues. January 19 th at 7pm. Applications were sent via email to all Grade 5 Harbour View parents

7. Hillcrest Middle School  MACC program is for designated gifted students only. There was a district-wide MACC parent information meeting on Thursday, Jan 7 th. Applications are online and are due on January 14 th at 4pm.  Hillcrest will have their parent information night in the spring for all neighboourhood students.

8. Cross Boundary Transfers  Cross Boundary Applications – are done online at www.sd43.bc.cawww.sd43.bc.ca  from Feb. 5th at 9am until Feb. 17 th at 4pm.  It’s on a first come, first served basis.  It is not necessary to apply for a cross boundary transfer if your child is accepted into the MACC program or late immersion program.  You can apply to two programs at the same time.

9. Transitions to Middle School  It is normal for your Grade 5 child to feel worried about moving to middle school. For many, it is an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar faces. They feel outside their comfort zone.  What do they worry about? They worry about such things as: remembering locker combinations and the class schedule, being “thrown” into lockers by older students, having friends in their classes.  How can you help? Reassure them that they adjusted to elementary school in Kindergarten and again in intermediate grades, and that they have more skills and more maturity than they did when they were four or five. Help them to think “Green thoughts”.

10. What to Expect  Your child may ask for a phone in middle school. This is your decision as a parent. Be aware there are a variety of plans you can purchase. If it includes data, this can bring along it’s own set of challenges.  During adolescence, many children start to shift their centre of attention away from their family and more towards peers.  Some children will start to spend more time behind their bedroom door on electronic devices. It is helpful to limit their time on these devices and be sure they are not stored in bedrooms at night.  Instead, place them in a safe and secure location at night so they can get a restful sleep.

11. What to Expect - 2  Maintain or build in a scheduled family night  Movies, games night, a family hike or bike ride.  The purpose is to continue to build your relationship with your child and keep the lines of communication open.  They will likely need to come to you at some point when they have decisions to make about peer influences.  A useful book to read is “Hold on to Your Kids” by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Mate.  Some of the best times to engage in conversation with our children is in the car or during a fun shared activity.

12. Things to Remember  Breathe!  If you are feeling anxious about the transition, your child will sense your anxiety and will begin to feel the same way about middle school.  You want this to be a positive experience for your child.