Welcome Back!

Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year. I am incredibly excited - we have a great year to look forward to. Before I talk about the day I wanted to remind folks of some upcoming meetings. Next week I will be hosting a series of Meet and Greets for parents. 6th grade families are invited to the meeting on Tuesday, September 14th at 8:15. 7th and 8th grade families are invited to a meeting on Wednesday, September 15th at 8:15. Both meetings will be in the library on the 2nd floor. On Thursday, September 16th the Parents' Association will be holding their first meeting of the year. It will be at 6pm in the cafeteria. The topic will be sports and afterschool. September is a busy month at Lab School. For a complete list of meetings please check-out the school calendar on our website at www.nyclabschool.net.

The first day back is always one of mixed emotions for me. I feel nervous for our youngest ones. You can spot a 6th grader from a mile away. Eyes - WIDE...a little confused, apprehensive, reserved and unsure. Walking toward the gym this morning I thought I had missed our new 6th grade class because it was so quite. To my surprise I found almost 200 children gathered around their homeroom signs silent. I thought, this is the quietest these children will ever be in the next three years.

This peace was quite a contrast to the excitement in the front of the building. The 7th and 8th grade scene was one of sheer joy. Friends reuniting - yelling, laughing, hugging. You would think they haven't seen each other in years. It made me so happy because there was such love among the children - they were greeting like family.

Middle School is a dynamic time. The students go through so much change over the course of the three years. I notice this change most at the beginning of the year. It was exciting to see this 8th grade class so differently than I remember only two Septembers before. And our 7th graders - taking on a new level of prestige because they are now no longer the youngest.

Our 7th and 8th grade students went though a pretty normal school day. Homeroom time was spent doing introductions and reviewing rules. Teachers used class time to review the syllabus and handout textbooks - even some homework.

The 6th graders had a modified day. Students spent a lot of time in homeroom participating in teambuilding activities and get-to-know-you games. They also took a tour of the school and had a grade-wide assembly where they were introduced to school personnel . On Monday they will begin to have their normal schedule. Our teachers understand that 6th grade is a challenging transition year. They build a lot into the curriculum over the next month to help students feel ready for middle school.

I was quite pleased with the 1st day of school. All of your students behaved beautifully - let's hope that continues : )

Please check your child's backpack. There are lots of materials for you to read.

Next week is our first full week and we have a lot happening. We will be holding sports information sessions for our fall season. The Beacon Afterschool program will also be starting.

As we transition into a new school year please make sure you have established a good routine for your child. It is always a little hard to transition between summer and the school year :)

I have included some links below for articles about helping students transition. Please also feel free to contact our guidance department if you need advice or support.

http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/back_to_school.html
http://parentingtweens.suite101.com/article.cfm/starting_middle_school
http://www.education.com/reference/article/quick-tips-preparing-middle-school/
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_15746600

Have a restful and happy weekend.

Warmly,
Meg