The transition of Grade 5 to AES has been very successful! It is fun to see the students maturing. They work hard in their classrooms. In fact, they work so hard I don't get to see them very much! The 5th graders are definitely role models for the other students in the building.

June 2009:

Step Up Hour during the day and the Parent Night activity was a success. Please remember if you have any questions, just call!

As the end of the year approaches, students and families begin to focus on leaving AES and entering middle school. This can be a challenging time for kids and their parents. The elementary school experience is often one that is much like an extended family. The Middle School experience will be different . . . and that is okay. Middle School years can be tough for the kids as they are expected to become more independent and they strive to be independent in their own ways. Try to do some reading on the changes they are going through developmentally. That will help you, as the parent, keep your sanity. Know that they may resist the increased expectations of being a middle schooler, but also know that they are capable of fulfilling those expectations. Talk with them about how to positively make things work and stay involved! Research shows that parent involvement can raise a child's grade an entire grade (i.e. a "C" to a "B"). Keep in touch with the teachers - they really are trying to help your child learn and grow.

In life there is change, and we all have to learn to change with those changes. Change can be a very positive experience - although most people fear change initially. Face it, and embrace it! It is going to happen anyway.