By Myles Sauer

B次元官网网址 Staff

When it comes to schooling, two big moments are likely to stand out in any adultB次元官网网址檚 memory: the terrifying first day of elementary school, and the jubilations of graduating from high school.

But itB次元官网网址檚 the transitory nature of middle school, that strange middle ground between elementary and high school, that makes it so exciting for Carly Hunter, principal at Royal Oak middle school, as she watches students grow from when they start sixth grade to when they finish the eighth.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 sort of incredible,B次元官网网址� says Hunter. B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 even recognize what they look like in Grade 6 [when you look back]. They grow, they learn, they develop values B次元官网网址� they start to want to make changes in the world.B次元官网网址�

Hunter says thereB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渁 lot of enthusiastic exuberanceB次元官网网址� at middle school, but thatB次元官网网址檚 not to say kids at that age have it easy. Power struggles, friendships, figuring out where they fit in their social circle and, of course, the trials of puberty are all challenges that kids face as they grow into young adults ready to take on high school.

Parents can do a lot to help kids through those years, however. B次元官网网址淥ne thing that I always really want to say [to parents] is to have a conversation with their child about goals for the year,B次元官网网址� Hunter says. B次元官网网址淭alk about how they see themselves as a learner.B次元官网网址�

Parents should also foster whatever talents their kids may be developing. B次元官网网址淣ot everybodyB次元官网网址檚 gonna get AB次元官网网址檚, but everybodyB次元官网网址檚 good at something,B次元官网网址� Hunter says.

And to the students themselves, Hunter has these words of advice: B次元官网网址淪chools are not scary places, theyB次元官网网址檙e caring places B次元官网网址� ThereB次元官网网址檚 people there to help you. DonB次元官网网址檛 be afraid to ask for help.B次元官网网址�

That goes especially for anyone scared of having a locker for the first time and forgetting their lock combination. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a real fear,B次元官网网址� says Hunter, laughing. B次元官网网址淵ou have to ask [students] what bothers them, because as an adult I would never have thought of that.B次元官网网址�

Any Royal Oak middle school students who want to get some lock practice in are invited to pick one up a week before classes start.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not a huge deal for us, and a huge stress reliever for them,B次元官网网址� Hunter says. B次元官网网址淓asy peasy, right?B次元官网网址�