The heads of the middle schools at Baylor, GPS and McCallie talked to parents at Bright School about how to prepare themselves and their children for middle school. About 95 percent of Bright alumni apply, are accepted and attend these schools.

All three heads mentioned they are familiar with the transition ups and downs as both academic administrators and parents. Scotty Jones at McCallie has three children; Lynne Macziewski at GPS has two children, including a current Bright fifth grader, and Jennifer Lindsay has three children.

Head of School O.J. Morgan, a former middle school head at Baylor, moderated the panel. 

The first topic was social, emotional and physical changes parents should expect to see when their children are in middle school. All three commented that this phase of life has as much developmental change as infants to toddlers. Changes occur every day, and these tweens also are dealing with puberty. They described students feeling clumsy and prone to tears (both girls and boys) at any given moment. Friendships also change as students get involved in different activities and meet new people. Their advice for parents to to listen to their children when children are ready to talk and to not try to solve their problems. Just listen because the children may come back later with questions and an ask for help.

As far as academics go, middle school is the time for students to learn how best to learn, study and manage their time. It is OK for them to fail, and the heads cautioned against parents swooping in to save them, correct them or do the work for them. All three schools have support systems, advising and tutoring to help students. Parents should get involved when "the wheels are coming off," but to not worry about a test or homework here or there. Parents can help by providing a good place for students to do homework at home, free from distactions. The administrators told parents the communication from the school regarding academics will not be the same as elementary school. Middle school is also about developing independence, and parents should not expect to be told about everything going on academically. For instance, there are no "Tuesday folders" that come home each week with graded papers. They said students may get a low grade for the first time, and parents should not overreact.

Technology and devices is one area where parents can and should be very involved. All three administrators were strong in their opinions that parents should hold off giving phones to their students as long as possible, and that social media should wait as well. All three schools use technology in the classroom, and there may be some assignments that require technology. But the schools manage the use of technology and restrict it to the classroom. Students have to keep their phones shut off and put away during the school day. They said parents should set limits, for instance, no devices at the dinner table, no devices in the bedroom, charge the devices in the parents' bedroom at night. If your child says everyone has a phone, you can say the schools found less than half of sixth graders have a phone at their schools. Administrators reminded parents that they, not the children, own the phones. Many of the behavior issues they deal with involve phone use outside of school, texting, sending pictures, etc. They recommended following your children on social media when they open accounts and ask them "Would grandma want to see this?" as a rule before posting. They said writing a contract for technology use with their children would be helpful.

We very much appreciate Mr. Jones, Mrs. Macziewski and Mrs. Lindsay for speaking with parents.