Personal Best Parent Update
...from Donald F. Gately Ed.D.
September 20, 2019 Volume VII No. 3
First few weeks
It’s been a great first three weeks of school.
I came to a realization this year for the first time, the transition from elementary school to middle school for kids is the most difficult of all school transitions.
Consider the following:
Kindergarten: They’re five years old, they essentially look forward to everything, because everything is a new adventure (please ignore those couple of crying kids who won’t let go of mommy’s leg and come in the front door).
First grade: Now just six years old, same thing, another new adventure.
High school: Nervous about all the homework, but they’ll have a driver's license soon, so it's all good.
College: Are you kidding, “First class isn’t until 11 am and I have off Mondays, what’s not to love?”
There’s no argument, middle school is the most challenging transition that kids make in their school careers.
And yet, our first day of classes went beautifully for our new 6th graders. All-day I saw the smiling faces of kids getting to know new friends and reveling in their new-found independence: walk by yourself from class to class, sit wherever you want in the cafeteria, decorate your locker, what could be better?
This didn’t happen by accident. I want to recognize the fact that everybody in the middle school family pitches in to help our new sixth-graders get acclimated to their new school, to feel like they belong, to know that they are loved. As I have watched these days unfold, I have seen innumerable acts of kindness towards them on the part of staff members from custodians to bus drivers to secretaries and to teachers. When they passed sixth-graders who looked lost or were having trouble opening lockers, our seventh and eighth graders were quick to offer help, walked them to class, showed them how to open a locker that was slightly jammed. I’m always so proud of the kids and adults that make this such a special place.
Our parents contributed mightily to this effort as well. I know of other places where kids are terrified about going to the “big bad middle school”. But you showed trust in us and told your children how much fun they were going to have here. Even though it wasn’t easy for you, you embraced your child’s newfound independence. Thank you so much for that!
Make sure you follow us on social media so you can see all the wonderful things happening inside the walls of our school. Click on the links at the bottom of this page to sign up for Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. It’s only the beginning but we're excited about another amazing school year filled with growth and learning.
Clubs
Resources
Some nice ideas here about how to help your child succeed in school
Devices or NO devices… that’s the question Interesting article in EdWeek about schools banning cell phones
So many ways to follow #JerichoMS
Jericho Middle School
Email: dgately@jerichoschools.org
Website: Jerichoschools.org
Location: 99 Old Cedar Swamp Road, Jericho, NY, United States
Phone: (516) 203-2600
Twitter: @JerichoMS