1. The Adolescent or Where has my Baby gone? Keys to Understanding The Adolescent & Middle School by CMS Counseling CMS Counseling

2. CMS Administrators Principal – Cynthia Jackson Assistant Principal – Sedric Childs: 6 th Grade and Instruction Assistant Principal – Yolanda Cromer- Nunn–CMS Annex 6D Assistant Principal – Gloria Watson: 7 th Grade Assistant Principal – Karen Briggs – 8 th Grade

3. CMS Support Staff You are not Alone Counselors –B–Bree Winkler – Teams 6A, 6B &7B –D–Deborah Lorenz – Team 6D –N–Nerida Edwards –Teams 7C, 8A & 8B –R–Robert Rice – Teams 7A, 7D & 8C Graduation Coach – Charles Walker Intervention Specialist – Sally Kellogg Social Worker – Stephanie Ingram School Psychologist – Deborah Bailey

4. Middle School A Time of Many Changes New Environment New Environment Academic Rigor Academic Rigor Transition from play (Elementary) to work (high school and beyond) Transition from play (Elementary) to work (high school and beyond) Growth Changes Growth Changes Social Changes Social Changes Emotional Struggles Emotional Struggles

5. New Environment Larger Building Larger Building Larger Variety of teachers – coming from backgrounds in Elementary and High School Larger Variety of teachers – coming from backgrounds in Elementary and High School More Students More Students Disruption of Comfort Level – Leadership & Role understanding Disruption of Comfort Level – Leadership & Role understanding Belonging Belonging

6. Life Development Physical Development Physical Development Intellectual Development Intellectual Development Social Development Social Development Emotional Development Emotional Development

7. Physical Development Characteristics & Needs 2 nd Fastest Growth Period 2 nd Fastest Growth Period Irregular Growth and Maturity Fluctuating Basal Metabolism Ravenous Appetites Body changes are Normal & Ok Allow for Changing Needs Allow for Exercise and Periods of Rest –Body Clock Adjustments Nutrition is Very Important

8. Intellectual Development Characteristics & Needs Egocentric – Its about me, me, me Egocentric – Its about me, me, me Highly Curious about the Real World Prefer Active Learning to Passive Moving from Concrete to Abstract (Now to Future) Be Available: Set up private time Exposure to real world events and discussions of real world events Find out how they learn; model learning Organization and guidance is needed

9. Social Development Characteristics & Needs Finding Their Place in their World Finding Their Place in their World Testing the Boundaries/Power Testing the Boundaries/Power Reacting to Environment Reacting to Environment Social Exploration Social Exploration Be Available: Encouragement not Praise Set Clear Logical Values-Rules driven Listen to their Fears and concerns without judgments Know the friends-Space but not too much!

10. Emotional Development Characteristics & Needs Searching for Identity and Independence Searching for Identity and Independence Moody – Who Me? Moody – Who Me? Behavior Issues Behavior Issues Self-Esteem - IALAC Self-Esteem - IALAC Help them become independent, but give them a sense of belonging Its only part hormones Poor Behavior is not readily apparent Unconditional Love is paramount

11. Experimenting and Disorders Self Inflicted Violence Eating Disorders ADHD/ADD –Medical –Constructed Depression/Suicide Gangs Cyber World Sex all types

12. Whats a Parent to Do?

13. Lets Hear from the Experts Bree Winkler - Moderator Kimberly Peddrew – Teacher of the Year – Lang Arts & Social Studies, Depart. Chair S.S. Kent Hite – Teacher of the Year – Math John Donegan – Teacher of the Year – Social Studies Lisa Lee – Teacher of the Year – Impact Cagina Noird – Department Chair – Lang Arts Dr. Denean Smith – New to DeKalb from Atlanta City Schools - Science

14. Parenting Ideas (Following Rules) Set Rules based on your Values and Morales Punish the behavior (correction not anger) Be Consistent and Loving Dont Sweat the Small Stuff Know the School Rules Teach your Child good decision making skills

15. Parenting Ideas (Learn about Their World) Be actively involved in school You cant love them too much Be familiar with their friends and hangouts Know about what they read, see, listen and interact Keep up on the latest drugs and their effects Teach them to be safe

16. Success in the Middle School Micro-manage Get a Copy of your childs Syllabi so you can help them manage their time and prioritize. Agendacheck dailyreward responsibility and organization Homeworkdesignated time and place; check daily; establish a plan to get homework to teacher Schoolnotes.com

17. Success in Middle School Studying for quizzes, test, and finals Materialsbe prepared Goalsshort and long term Assess childs learning style Notebook, bookbag and locker checks

18. The Role Of Counseling We are Here for Your Child Delivery of Services Delivery of Services Programs Programs Collaboration Collaboration Scheduling Scheduling Academic Information Academic Information Social/Emotional Information Social/Emotional Information