{"id":16230,"date":"2020-01-02T08:50:07","date_gmt":"2020-01-02T14:50:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.moundsparkacademy.org\/news\/?p=16230"},"modified":"2020-01-02T08:50:07","modified_gmt":"2020-01-02T14:50:07","slug":"midyear-check-ins-with-your-middle-school-student","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moundsparkacademy.org\/news\/2020\/01\/02\/midyear-check-ins-with-your-middle-school-student\/","title":{"rendered":"Midyear Check-Ins With Your Middle School Student"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"middleAs the school calendar approaches its midway point, and winter break offers a breather from the daily routine, it\u2019s a great time for parents and their Middle School students to connect on where they are and what their goals are for the balance of the year.<\/p>\n

Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School director, explains that in addition to sending home traditional report cards each quarter, MPA\u2019s faculty provides substantive comments on a student\u2019s progress along with posting grades. \u201cOften times a report card is seen as a destination\u2014a final outcome\u2014and we are hoping parents join us instead in viewing an end to a quarter as an invitation to reflect,\u201d she says. \u201cMore specifically, it is a moment to ask your student to reflect on their own effort, commitment, understanding of content presented, and growth as a student and human being.\u201d She reinforces that \u201clearning doesn\u2019t happen in nine-week segments, or even academic years. Our role as a school is to help young people learn how they learn best, find their passions, refine their areas for growth, and develop a sense of self-confidence in who they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

MPA\u2019s Middle School structure reflects the developmental process that students experience as they move from childhood to early adolescence. \u201cFifth grade is a bridge year between the Lower School and Middle School\u2014for example, students have mile markers like no more uniforms, but their academic grading follows the Lower School model,\u201d explains Robyn Kramer, Lower and Middle School learning specialist. \u201cSixth graders have expanded freedoms along with the according levels of responsibility. In seventh and eighth grade the bar is definitely raised, knowing that students have the skill sets to handle more personal accountability, and to prepare them for the expectations of MPA\u2019s Upper School.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kramer emphasizes that Middle School is a critical time for students to focus on their growth as a whole person, not only as a student. \u201cIt\u2019s really about cultivating about a broader set of conversations beyond grades, including how things are going socially, emotionally, and interpersonally. It\u2019s an important time for parents to have discussions with their students about appropriately building independence and taking more and more ownership for their school experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Student-Led Conversations<\/strong>
\nWhen it comes to goal planning for the second half of the year, Kramer recommends that the student leads the conversation. \u201cStart by asking your child what they\u2019re most proud of, and where they are most interested in focusing for the second half of the year. Then, ask them to define the steps that are needed to get to that goal, making sure that those steps are manageable and achievable. The mid-year review doesn\u2019t necessarily need to be tied to pure academics\u2014it might be a goal around building confidence to participate more in class, or to make a new friend, or to join a sport team or get involved with a new club. The goal should reflect the whole child, and where they see themselves going for the balance of this year and into the next, and to think about how fulfilling it will be to achieve that goal.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the mid-year check in should be student-driven, MPA’s whole support system is wrapped around helping children achieve at all stages of their schooling and development. \u201cOur Middle School teachers and staff meet together biweekly to share how things are going with our students, compare notes, celebrate successes and share \u2018happy happenings,\u2019\u201d says Kramer. \u201cWe know our kids, we know when something\u2019s different, and we\u2019ll reach out to each other and to students and families to identify and talk about issues early, when they\u2019re a lot easier to address.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kramer sees that personal commitment of faculty to students as a powerful and unique aspect of MPA\u2019s educational approach. \u201cAt MPA, students are visible, known, supported, and respected,\u201d she says. \u201cWe help students discover who they are and then empower them to explore how to fulfill that vision of themselves. It\u2019s a beautiful thing, to be part of a place that cares so much, and is set up so well to help students succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Learn More About It: Midyear Check-ins And Planning Your Path<\/strong><\/p>\n