Why dance? We had our first 7/8 dance of the year last Friday night, with over 100 students in attendance. Occasionally I'm asked why we do "fun" stuff like this, and the short answer is that childhood should be, well, fun. A longer answer is a touch more complex. At this age, students have begun to separate from their parents, seeking more independence while at the same time retaining home as a "safety net" when the going gets tough. Peers and kids' social lives become of primary importance and will remain so for several years. (Evidence of this can often be seen in the amount of time they spend on the phone or begging their parents for instant messaging privileges.)

7/8 dances do just these things, allowing students to try out their social skills and independence in a safe, nurturing environment away from their parents. That's why, when parents ask to come in and take a look at the dance for a few minutes, we try to discourage it. And that's also why I didn't attend the dance Friday night, as my seventh grade daughter attended her first school dance. Our kids are growing up....

And on an academic note, first quarter ends on Friday, October 27th. You might want to take a moment in the next few days to ask your child to double-check their progress in classes. One way to do this is to sit down with him/her and go through PowerSchool together (admittedly better for grades six and up), or to have your child speak with teachers about their work.