Counselor's Corner
by Charlie Kanzig
 

January 2005

The second trimester, December to March, is central to student learning and achievement, but can actually be the most challenging section of the academic year for middle school students. The energy and excitement of the start of the year has passed; the warm, long days are over; and the holidays take their toll.

The middle school started the trimester two weeks before Christmas break, so students got a fairly good dose of academic work before being off for two weeks. It seemed to take the kids the entire first week back to get into the swing of things, and, as a result, our D and F list at the three-week mark was longer than first trimester. Upon investigation, we found a number of students had missed chunks of school due to illness or extended vacations and hadn't gotten work made up yet, but the majority had simply "let things go" temporarily.

We have spent time this week helping kids get back on track by informing parents and talking with students. I found that quite a few kids have hunkered down in these cold dark winter days and are simply not as active and vibrant as normal. Humans don't hibernate, but sometimes when the sky is overcast, the wind is cold, and it's dark before 5:00 p.m., we feel like trying it.

The winter solstice has passed and the days are getting longer, so there is hope in that. We have some longer stretches of days without long breaks, so the school routine should be fully re-established soon. The healthier and happier kids feel, the better they do in school.

As we work our way through the middle of the year, parents might find the following pointers helpful in supporting kids:

- Give your children space, but don't allow them to be too isolated during the winter months. If they are spending most of their time alone in their room or more than two hours a day in front of the X-Box, television or computer screen, draw them out with a bowl of popcorn and a game of Chinese checkers or whatever snack/activity combination that fits your family.

- Keep the communication lines open between your child and the school. Use the PASS system to check on your student's progress electronically (http://www.outlawnet.com/outlaw/sisters_middleschool/pass/). Of course you can also e-mail or call individual teachers regarding particular concerns.

- Encourage some daily physical activity for your child, even if it's just walking down to the mailbox. Fresh air and physical exercise can be refreshing and invigorating.

- Be sure to come to parent/teacher conferences on February 2 and 3 (See calendar).

- Take advantage of the bright, sunny days. A dose of sunshine is good for the soul.

- Keep routines, be sure to eat nutritious food and get plenty of sleep.

- Charlie Kanzig, School Counselor