Transitioning to middle school is a sign of increasing expectations by schools for

your child to become independent in their studies. They are expected to change classes and keep track of three or four different daily schedules. They are also expected and guided in how to organize.

Middle school is also a time of great social pressure and insecurities about their bodies. You may notice that kids in the same school are often at very different levels of pubertal development. This can be a time when some kids experience teasing and/or bullying if they are different in any way. (Check out the movie: "Mean Girls").

Some interesting websites:

1. Managing social media and cell phones
   1. Center on Media and Child Health at Children's Hospital Boston 
2. Race to Nowhere - this is an excellent, thought provoking movie about the hurried child and the stress teens get into in middle and high school to become "successful." 

   Race to Nowhere Trailer

We have informational packets on:

Bullying & Cyber-bullying

and  

Organizational Skills

*****SAVE THE DATE*****

October 20, 2011

 Dedham Community House

Westwood-Mansfield Pediatrics  

will be sponsoring a Parent Resource Workshop on:

"Getting Unstuck in the Middle:  

Making a Successful Transition  

through the Middle School Years"

Guest Speaker: Sherri Fisher, MAPP, M.Ed.,

Consultant-Coach
Flourishing Schools

More Information to come in September