When kids have trouble with social-emotional skills, it may be uncomfortable to talk about the challenges they face. But it’s important to talk openly and show them there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.

Talking about struggles with emotions and social skills shows that how your child feels matters to you. And it helps kids put into perspective that they may struggle with certain things, but not with everything

Find out what you can say, and when to say it. (Click here to read more on Understood.org)

1. Attend Back-to-School Night and Parent-Teacher Conferences

Preteens and teens do better in school when parents are involved in their academic lives. Attending back-to-school night at the start of the school year is a great way to get to know your child's teachers and their expectations.

2. Visit the School and Its Website

Knowing the physical layout of the school building and grounds can help you connect with your child when you talk about his or her school day.

3. Support Homework Expectations

During the middle school years, homework gets more intense and the time spent will probably be longer than during the elementary years

4. Send Your Child to School Ready to Learn

A nutritious breakfast fuels up middle schoolers and gets them ready for the day.

**All CHISD students receive breakfast for free!**

5. Instill Organization Skills

No one is born with great organizational skills — they have to be learned and practiced. Being organized is a key to success in middle school, where most students first encounter multiple teachers and classrooms on a daily basis, and where some students are participating in extracurricular or after-school activities for the first time.

6. Teach Study Skills

Planning is a big part of helping your middle-schooler study for tests now that he or she is juggling work from multiple teachers.

7. Know the Disciplinary and Bullying Policies

Schools usually cite disciplinary policies (sometimes called the student code of conduct) in student handbooks.

8. Get Involved

Volunteering at your child's middle school is a great way to show you're interested in his or her education.

9. Take Attendance Seriously

Middle schoolers should take a sick day if they have a fever, are nauseated, vomiting, or have diarrhea. Otherwise, it's important that they arrive at school on time every day, because having to catch up with classwork, projects, tests, and homework can be stressful and interfere with learning.

10. Make Time to Talk About School

Staying connected with preteens and teens as they grow more independent can be a challenge for parents, but it's more important than ever.

Click here to read more!

Taken from an article on Kidshealth.org, by Dr. Kathryn Hoffses, PhD

Chapel Hill ISD appreciates all who are willing to commit their time and energy to help Chapel Hill students succeed and provide an excellent place for learning for all students. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child. We welcome volunteers to join our village and help us make our schools the best they can be.

Chapel Hill ISD offers volunteer opportunities to the following groups:

• Family Member
• Community Member
• Business Partner

Whether you serve as a parent or other family member, a community member, or a business partner, your participation as a volunteer is essential in developing our students.

Once approved as a volunteer, you can volunteer at any of our CHISD school campuses. Reach out to your students' home campus for volunteer information and opportunities.

“We’re asking all stakeholders in our community to help transform our students' educational experience through innovative facilities suited for the 21st century,” Superintendent of School Lamond Dean said. “This year we’ll be revisiting and reviewing the Master Facility Improvement Plan. The plan was finalized by our previous committee, the Long Range Facility Planning Committee, and later approved by the School Board.”

In December of 2021, the School Board of Trustees approved the Master Facility Improvement Plan.

The members will collaborate, and together, provide trustees with recommendations on the district’s facilities, infrastructure, and proposed capital improvement projects.

Members will be provided with:

• Facility tours
• Presentations from experts
• Data analysis
• Group discussions

The in-person committee meetings will begin on Tuesday, October 18, and end Tuesday, December 6.

Click the button below to visit the Facility Advisory Committee's webpage.