What Sixth Grade Parents Need to Know

Middle School is a big change from elementary school and it is very important for each student to get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast before heading off to school.
Be prepared for hormonal changes in your child. What they love today, they'll hate the next, and vice versa. With a large mix of kids, children's perceptions of "popular" often change and shift from day to day. Social issues become very important and friendships often switch. There are many changes that occur in all facets of their lives this year. Relax! Fortunately, middle school students adjust very quickly. An attitude of "wait and see" can take care of most problems.
Students are responsible for bringing agenda books and a pencil to class every day. Please remember that lunch money can't be borrowed from the cafeteria, so students should bring money to purchase lunch if they don't bring lunch from home.
If you feel the need to meet with a teacher for any reason, call either the sixth grade guidance counselor or the core teacher and they can arrange the meeting with the teacher or the team.
Books that parents might like to read are Quality Schools, by William Glasser, and Reviving Ophelia, by Mary Pipher. Books by Jim Garvin are very helpful in dealing with middle school students.
Students must pass English, math, science, and social studies if they wish to move on to the seventh grade. Summer programs will be required for students who do not pass these courses.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the grading scale different from elementary grading scales? The grade scale changes from a ten point scale in elementary school to a seven point scale to coordinate with the high school.

How do the academic terms in middle school differ from the elementary schools? There are six terms in middle school as opposed to four.

What are the teams and how do they work? Your child will be assigned to one of two teams, but will rotate to teachers from both teams for social studies and science. Team names change from year to year as the students vote on new names each fall.

Will the kids have computers in the classrooms? Each class has at least two personal computers that are connected to the internet and the school network. Students also have access to the computer lab.

How can I help my child adjust to the different environment of a middle school and the prospect of being with so many new faces? Fifth grade students spend a day at Portsmouth Middle School in the spring to help them become familiar with the building and staff. The Portsmouth Recreation Department and New Heights offer summer programs that are a mix of all three elementary schools. A summer friend could easily become a friendly and familiar face in the fall. Discuss the differences your child will face in middle school, but don't dwell on it. Most kids do fine and look forward to being here. The Parent Advisory Council sponsors a school picnic on the first day of school for sixth graders with games and activities. Prospective sixth grade parents are welcome to attend a spring PAC meeting to help them become familiar with the school.

back