We were up in the White Mountains when the info came about the coming school year's class placements. Luckily, the elementary school sent the news via email, so I got it bright and early yesterday morning along with everyone else. Pete has the same Grade 5 teacher that Steph had, and Julie has the same Grade 2 teacher that Pete had, so we are thrilled. Both kids are with a few good friends, too. The middle school info packets must have been mailed on Wednesday, because beginning on Thursday, all Steph's pals were calling and texting her madly to ask her which "team" she was on, but she didn't know! We got home today and she ran to the mail, where she discovered to her delight that she's on the same team as her two best friends, and even in the same homeroom as one of them.
Of course, none of this guarantees a good year, but it's certainly a positive way to start things off. Meanwhile, my calendar is already filling up with school events, soccer, Hebrew school, and more. Bring it on—I love this season!
Good news!!
Posted by: Margaret | August 29, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Wow Newton starts after Labor Day? We start this Tuesday (Holliston) and I'm lovin' it. For two full time working parents, it's a dream come true, as we always seem to scramble for camp or child care toward the end of the summer. Yes, I really love this season too...my youngest son asked me the other day, "Mommy, can I start my Hanukkah list?" I think he's all set with summer being over too. :)
Posted by: Rachel K. | August 30, 2009 at 07:50 AM
I'm glad that Steph is on the same team as some of her friends. It can be hard to maintain those middle school friendships when they are on separate teams. (
Posted by: Elena | August 30, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Oops. That was not a weird emoticon at the end of my previous comment. I was going to write more, then deleted everything except the beginning parenthesis!
Posted by: Elena | August 30, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Ugh. Teams. Yet another way that schools rob kids of opportunities to be self-sufficient. I went to regular junior high and then starting with my brother's seventh grade year, they changed it to middle school and started the whole team deal. I can't understand what purpose it serves, other than to "smooth the transition" from elementary school, but it seems like it takes away some of the challenges I think are necessary for kids to experience. I feel that 12/13 is an age at which we need to allow things to get a little tougher for kids so they can learn about independence and responsibility.
This is a huge irritation for me (sort of like that inventive spelling junk that was popular 10-15 years ago), so I apologize in advance if you are totally in love with your middle school's system. Maybe it is set up much better than what my siblings have experienced.
Posted by: Kerri | August 31, 2009 at 09:28 AM
I never really thought about it! When I was in Middle School, we were all mixed in together. I think the point of teams, at least in our school system now, is so that the teachers for each team have all the same kids and can meet to talk about problems or strategies.
Posted by: Karen | September 02, 2009 at 10:30 AM