From ELEMENTARY to MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle School is a special place. This transition from elementary school to high school is a time of excitement and promise. It is a time when your child will be given more responsibilities and lots of opportunities to learn and grow socially, emotionally, academically, and spiritually.

Starting Middle School is a big step. It means your child is getting older. These are the years when he or she will sometimes seem quite mature and then will quickly revert to more childish behavior. Changing friendships, mood swings, forgetfulness, testing the limits of discipline, and thinking the world revolves around “me” is normal at this age. Throughout these years your child will still need mom and dad. Your support, encouragement, guidance, love, understanding, and prayer are crucial as your child grows and learns to develop the talents God has given him or her.

So just how is Middle School going to be different from elementary school?
Here are just some changes your child will experience:

More Teachers
-your child will have contact with at least 5 different teachers every day

More Classrooms
-your child will move from class to class

Locker usage
-books, supplies, lunches, etc. will be all be kept in a locker rather than a desk

More Responsibilities
-keeping an assignment book up to date
-staying organized
-bringing the right textbooks, paper, pencils, pens, homework to class each day
-following various schedules (classes, Enrichment, Team Challenge, etc.)

New Rules
-the middle school has a discipline code which includes a points system

New Opportunities
-lots of extracurricular activities will be offered

New Friends

-interests will change, friendships will change

More independence

-choices for Prime Time, Enrichment, Sports, and several extracurricular opportunities

-free time activities will many and varied
-students will be expected to make more decisions and choices on their own

Our mission is to provide a quality education in an academic environment where God is the center of the learning experience and children are prepared for a life of faithful service to God and community.

OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

§ We recognize the value and gifts of each individual child of God

§ Our school environment reflects an understanding of adolescent development, taking into account the special needs of children at this stage of life

§ The staff’s teaching methods include cooperative learning, hand-on techniques, research, enrichment opportunities, interdisciplinary studies, audio/visual aides, as well as many other ways to enhance the educational process

§ We develop/enhance study skills and organizational skills while encouraging each student to become more responsible and accountable for his or her actions

§ Our schedule allows for flexibility

§ We provide varied opportunities for individual participation as well as team work type challenges

§ Successes and accomplishments of students are celebrated

§ The staff works as a team in an effort to meet the needs of each student

ADOLESCENCE

Many changes will occur as your child enters middle school. Some changes may be physical, emotional, social, or spiritual.

Physically, you will notice a growth spurt, voice change, body odor, and hair everywhere! The important message to give your child at this time is to make them aware that everyone’s rate of change is not the same. It is okay to grow faster or slower than someone else. God makes each person special in ways that may not be realized until later in life.

Emotionally, your child will answer your questions with one word and may experience mood swings a full 180 degrees in a matter of minutes. Giving your child a loving environment, a solid base to turn too, will enhance their sense of stability.

Socially, you will notice that having friends is what life is all about. Phone calls every 5 minutes could occur provided that the line is free! And then there is the internet! They want to feel accepted by peers, teachers, and parents even if it seems like they don’t care—they do! Keeping the lines of communication open is key to a good relationship with your child. They in turn will know how to build good relationships of their own.

Finally, spiritually; we attempt to shower all of students with the love of Christ each day. Through our example and instruction, we hope to see Christ reflected in each of our children. Adolescent children have lots of questions, fears, doubts, and special needs. Watch and listen for opportunities to “be there” with honest answers and stable support.

SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS

In Our

MIDDLE SCHOOL

We approach our classes with a Christ-like love and kindness. Our students should be able to see evidences of Christ in all their courses take at Grand Haven Christian School.

In addition to a “spiritual approach” to teaching, we begin each day with devotions that include the sharing of Biblical truths and time spent in prayer. This can be done in a variety of ways depending on the make-up of the class and the personality of the teacher. We realize the power of the Holy Spirit can work in a variety of settings. We pray before dismissing for lunch. We also pray with our class at the end of the school day.

Each Wednesday morning we assemble as a middle school group for a time of worship in a “chapel” setting. The staff and student advisory committee (SAC) take turns planning and leading these chapel times. We appreciate the assistance that we have received from many of you. We welcome volunteer parents, youth pastors, grandparents, missionaries, and other kingdom workers who desire to share their story and talents with our student body.

Finally, as an entire school, we begin each year with a theme. The theme is centered on a Bible text and is often times a basis for many of our chapel experiences. We remind our students of the theme throughout the year in order to plant a desire for the Lord in their hearts.