Getting Ready for Middle School

 As your kid moves into Middle School, they will be taking on more skills and more independence.  If they're entering middle school for the first time, they will find themselves the the youngest kids in their school instead of being the oldest kids in the previous school. This can be intimidating and challenging as the social situations and topics of discussion will be of a more mature nature.

There are several website with information you can use to help your kid get ready for middle school.  One of the things I see mentioned regularly is how important it is to talk to your kid about expectations, fears, responsibilities and inspiration. Kids starting middle school have a different communication style than younger kids. Don't expect to have the same chatty, kid full of whimsy. When kids enter middle school, they begin to be more self aware and more self conscious. They are likely to have mood swings you haven't seen before, be focused more on their peer group, and have more secrets. This is entirely normal. 

As a parent of a middle schooler, your job is changing. Instead of being a constant guide telling your kid what to do and how, be prepared to set up the ground rules, identify your family values, and give your kid room to make decisions on their own within these guidelines. It can be terrifying to release control and no longer expect your kid to follow the rules exactly, but the decision making process now will continue on into adulthood. What your kid learns now will establish the confidence they have for decision making in the future. Failing at making good decisions is a part of the process. Pushing the boundaries and challenging authority is part of this process. Prepare yourself. Decide what is most important to you and your family and share this with all members of your family, not just those who live with you. 

When you share these things with your kids, be prepared to explain why you've decided these things are important. Do not be afraid to tell your kids you do not know the perfect answer or you're worried about the outcomes of some decisions. It's at this age where I've hear a lot of kids say "My parents will kill me!" or "My parents can't handle that." They're kind of right, aren't they? I encourage you to tell your kid that you want to help them handle the tough stuff. 

I encourage you to set up a support system with your kid for your kid. Members of the support system. A support system is more than the people in your kid's everyday life. These are people to call on for special situations , emergencies and when things are too overwhelming to handle yourself. As your kid grows through middle school, they are going to have input 

In Build a Support System to Give Your Children What They Need they write: 

Life happens fast, and with young children, it’s common to have a busy schedule. It is often difficult to find time for oneself. Building a good support system this year can help you manage your life, care for yourself, and give your children what they need.

A support system includes extended family, friends, your child care provider, and fellow parents. They should be people who truly care about you, your family, who want to see your family succeed, and have the capacity to provide the help you need in a time of emergency or crisis. These aren’t people who are there for your everyday needs – these are people who are willing to come to your rescue when you need them.

People who you see every day, like coworkers and neighbors, are also great people to add to your support system. They can provide safe places for your children, offer advice and guidance in your parenting journey, or invite you to community events that maybe you wouldn’t have been aware of before. This is a great way to build a support system without adding anything extra to your plate or schedule.

Your children likely spend a good deal of time in child care or at school. If this is the case, don’t forget to look at these groups of people as part of your support system; they already are! They are your partners in educating and raising your children and have the best in mind for your children. Ask questions whenever you can and ask for advice on behavior, communication style, and anything that you can be working on at home. If your schedule allows, get involved in the activities provided and maintain good relationships with the people who work there, including teachers, providers, and other parents.

A support system can be used for:

• Emotional support
• Emergency babysitting
• Parenting advice
• Transportation

As you and your kid identify a support system, there are some skills you'll both need to be successful. In the article 4 Ways to Help Your Child Build a Support Network they write:

1. Model how to ask for—and offer—help.

It’s important for your child to know that everyone needs help sometimes, not just her, and that it’s OK to ask for it. You can model this at home by asking her for help when you need it and showing your appreciation. She might pitch in putting groceries away, or help get a younger sibling ready for bed while you clean up the kitchen.

Your child can also benefit from seeing you supporting others. If you’re bringing food to the neighbor who just had a baby, ask your child to help you prepare it and drop it off. That way she can also see how other people accept help.

2. Start backing away from helping your child.

As kids get older they constantly face new challenges. Of course you want to help. But it’s important for your child to start handling some of her problems without you. That includes finding others who can offer support and advice.

Maybe your child suddenly has trouble making friends when she didn’t before. Or has a teacher she doesn’t seem to connect with. Instead of jumping in to fix it, ask who she thinks might be able to help. Is there someone she can talk to at school? You can also suggest people. “I remember that your cousin Jenny had some friend-problems when she was your age. She might have some terrific advice.” Or, “I bet your guidance counselor can help you find ways to talk to your science teacher.”

3. Widen the circle.

The more your child does outside your home, the more opportunities she’ll have to meet people who may be good sources of support. Try to get her involved in activities in your community.

Maybe she could join a youth group at church or temple. Or become a mother’s helper on weekends. There may be community volunteer projects you could join as a family. It’s important for your child to know that you’re not the only who wants her to succeed, or who values her contribution.

4. Nurture your child’s interests.

Does your child have a passion for something? Putting her in contact with people who share her interests can be a great way for her to meet peers, older kids and adults who can support her.

Your grade-schooler who loves animals might pet sit when neighbors go out of town. Your middle-school softball player might attend a clinic the high school coach runs for younger kids. And if your teenager is interested in a career in a health-related field, she might volunteer at the community hospital or nursing home.

A good way for your child to start building a support network is by thinking about the people she already goes to for help and what kind of support she’d still like to have. Talk to her frankly about her learning differences she can better understand her strengths and weaknesses. Being self-aware can allow her see where she needs help.

Building a support network doesn’t only provide a wider circle of people your child can turn to. It also helps build her self-esteem and sense of independence.

Talk about upcoming changes.

A new school year means new things for everyone. How does your work schedule work with the new school year? What are the options for school lunch or after school activities? What friends or familiar teachers will your kid see this year?

Review the class schedule together.

Will your child be allowed to pick some of their classes? Will your kid have some classes that are in multi-hour block? Will their class schedule change depending on the day of the week? Will their class schedule change from one semester to another this year?

Tour the building if possible. Learn the immediate neighborhood around the school.

Many schools have orientation or back-to-school open houses where families can visit the school and get familiar with important places like classrooms, cafeteria, library, school nurse, and the location where they will be dropped off and picked up from school.

Each year, explore the neighborhood immediately surrounding the school. This helps you and your kid. Get familiar with the streets around the school to help you if you get lost. Learn what stores, restaurants and community resources are near the school so you can use them if the school is not near your home.

Start a daily routine that will work on school days.

Starting a new school year is always challenging, but especially at this age. Kids are approaching another growth support and new hormonal changes that will affect the way they manage everyday life. Start a daily routine as soon as you can. Set a time for waking up, responsibilities for eating before school, and a deadline each day where everyone must leave the house to get to school on time.

This is another opportunity to talk about emergency backup plans. How will your kid get to school?  What should they do if your child misses the bus or carpool? What will happen if your child is sick and cannot go to school, there is a school holiday and no classes, or the school is closed for an emergency? Who will take care of the sick child and where? What will they do on days when there is no school? Will a parent or trusted family friend be available to contact in an emergency? Who will contact that person?

Offer reassurance.

Remind your kid that if things don't go perfectly, that things are still OK. Your kid will try all kinds of new things this school year and not everything is going to work out for them. Help your kid have confidence in you as the leader of the family - let them know that if things don't work out the way you planned that you will help them find a solution. Again, you don't have to know all of the answers as a parent, and it's OK to tell your kid that, but despite how much your child now ignores you, shows disrespect, or agitates for independence, you are still responsible for their overall well being and they really, really need you in that job. They need some place steady to return to as a safe place while they are experiencing all of these changes and new experiences.

Make a plan for failure. 

It is OK if your kid makes mistakes. It is OK if you make mistakes. It is important that after a mistake, a real effort is made for each person to feel respected and safe and a plan is put into place to fix the situation. Some of the resources that can help are easily available, some will have to be researched by getting advice from others, asking the school for help, or involving your support system.

This combines some things I've already mentioned. What happens when transportation falls through? What help can you get if your kid struggles academically? What will happen if your kid doesn't have lunch? Who will be called when your child gets sick? What happens if the main source of transportation gets disrupted? Who should be called when there is an emergency for your kid?

Problem solving skills, self-care, and managing emotions is very important here. Help your kid learn the skills they need to handle tough times. Help your kid understand how to recognize they are getting overwhelmed in a situation so they can change or leave the situation. What does being overwhelmed feel like? What are the symptoms? When your kid feels overwhelmed, what are their options? Can they take a break? Is there someone they can talk to? Would writing in a diary help?  Is there some kind of physical release that will help them deal with stress - going for a walk, playing a sport, dancing, tearing paper for that satisfying feel and sound? One of the most difficult things to manage at this age is emotions. Peer pressure and bullying can put your kid in an emotional state that could make the situation worse. 

Help your kid understand what they can do when they feel bad in an unexpected situation, how to handle themselves, and how to express and process the strong emotions they have form this situation. What are acceptable expressions of fear, anger, sadness, excitement and affection? 

Your kid is in a more complex social situation than they've been in the past, they are going to notice things about themselves and others that never registered with them before. They will feel insulted, offended and critical about new things, in fact, kids this age can be very judgmental. It can be challenging because they will be evaluating you too. 

Reinforce with them what your values are and how you make the decisions you make to demonstrate how you process things. Encourage your kid to make decisions but emphasize how their decisions play out in consequences. For example, your kid wants you to buy them something that is expensive, explain how much it costs, how much of the budget it will affect, what the rules will be about how they can use the new thing. Explain what other expense there will be because of owning this new item. Explain what future purchases will be sacrificed by buying this one item.

If your kid wants to begin or end an activity, how much will it affect their free time? What are the expectations of this change - what will they be responsible for? Is this change a long term commitment? What are the options if this change doesn't work out? At what point can you determine if this is a good choice or not, considering that failure is part of the learning process? How much does it cost? How will this change affect the rest of the family?

There is a lot to consider. It's a tough job guiding your kid through this process, but what they learn at this time in life will affect how they adapt to life in the future. Do your best. Accept your own failures and learn from them. You can't control everything, so decide in advance what is important and make a plan. Be flexible. Be kind to yourself and your kid.

All of these things will come up over and over for years to come. You'll get lots of practice. Ask for help when you need it.

Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?

Prepare Them With These 20 Skills  https://www.scholastic.com/parents/school-success/school-life/grade-by-grade/preparing-kindergarten.html

1. Identify some letters of the alphabet.
2. Grip a pencil, crayon, or marker correctly.
   Smith recommends the “Pinch and Flip” method:
   “Lay the pencil flat in front of the child with the lead pointing at the child,” he says. “Have the child pinch the pencil like they would pinch somebody else and flip the pencil back toward the child with the eraser going over the hand. Then rest it on the middle finger.”
3. Write their first name using upper- and lowercase letters, if possible.
   Smith says that writing names is good practice for learning letter cases.
   “Parents should make it very clear that uppercase letters are for the first letter of a name and lowercase letters are for the rest of the letters in a name,” he says.
4. Learn sounds corresponding to vowels and consonants.
   A foundation in phonics begins when you’re tracking words with your finger as you read aloud to your child. For brushing up on phonics, the 10 books in Bob’s Book Set #1: Beginning Readers is a great tool for use before school starts or as a supplement to classroom learning.
5. Recognize some common sight words, like “said” and “do.”
   Sight words are high-frequency words — among the most common in the English language — that do not follow the general rules of spelling and syllables, making them difficult for students to decode. 
6. Be able to recognize names of colors and parts of the body.
7. Recognize and produce rhyming words.
8. Repeat full name and birthday.
9. Recite the days of the week and months of the year.
10. Classify objects according to their size, shape, and quantity.
    Classification skills are the building blocks of important math concepts. With Little Skill Seekers: Sorting & Matching, children practice and hone these skills by sorting, matching, and grouping objects.
11. Count to 10.
12. Listen attentively without interrupting and raise hand to speak.
13. Follow multi-step directions.
    Smith offers this simple example for use at home: "Go to the kitchen, get a spoon, and bring it to me."
14. Work together with a friend or in small groups on a team project.
15. Use scissors, glue, paint, and other art materials with relative ease.
16. Manage bathroom needs.
17. Get dressed.
    Kindergarten is a great time for weaning off assistance in everyday routines that kids can perform themselves. Exhibit A: Zipping up a jacket. 
18. Clean up after self.
19. Separate from parents easily.
20. Know how to interact with a book.
    “It’s really helpful if students know how to hold a book and turn a page,” Smith says.

 

mifold Booster Seat

My sister told me about this seat booster for small kids. She keeps one of these handy for her ride share cars.
This is a foldable, packable device to safely secure kids into the 3 point seat belts commonly found in most cars. Small children are not safe in regular 3 point seat belts because the lap belt crosses them at their belly instead of their hips and the shoulder belt cuts across the child too close to their head. With these loose connections, a child can slide out of the belts in a car accident or sudden braking. The kid can also get abdominal injuries from the sudden thrust of the belly against the lap belt. This is called "seat belt syndrome."

 

The mifold seat has clips on either side of the seat to modify the lap belt
so it crosses the child at their hips and upper legs. 

It has another belt that goes behind the kid and clips onto the shoulder belt lowering the point
 where it crosses the kid, so the belt rests between the shoulder and neck.

Most booster car seats have a thick base. This raises the child so the shoulder belt crosses them at their shoulder and neck. This shoulder clip means the child doesn't have to sit on a thick seat.

 

Like all seating for small people (kids, teens, adults) there are size guidelines for making the rider as safe as possible in a car. The mifold is suggested for kids age 4 years an up, however the fit of the belts is crucial for ensuring safety. If the kid wiggles or slumps so they are not resting their back against the back of the seat, this device will not protect them. If the child will not stay still in their seat, fastened securely, this is not the right option for them.

For the safest ride, you should secure a kid in National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) approved seat of the highest quality you can afford that is the appropriate size for your kid. There are better options for securing your child than this. The trade off is that this device is small and can be carried in a backpack or suitcase. It's also narrow, so you can more easily seat up to 3 kids securely in the back seat of a car. 

I think this is a great option for babysitters, family and friends who do not normally transport kids, but need a safe option. This is also a great way to bring safety with you if you are travelling away from home and will need to ride in taxis, shuttle busses or rideshare. 

I do not own one of these, but I am considering buying one to keep in my car. 

Links

• mifold Website 
• YouTube Review of mifold by Cornwall
• Seat Belt Syndrome by Safe Ride 4 Kids
• NTSB Child and Youth Transportation Safety

Back to School Shopping for High School - Project 150

 Back to School Shopping at Project 150! Open to high school students with valid student ID. This event starts July 25 through July 30, 2022.

Students with a valid high school ID can receive FREE clothing, hygiene items, school supplies, backpacks and food!

​

For more information, click HERE.

 

 

CCSD and Regional Transportation Commission have partnered to provide transportation services for select high school students.

For more information, click HERE to see the Clark County School District Announcement.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is RTC RideOn? 

Ride On is a partnership between the Clark County School District and Regional Transportation Commission to provide transportation services to and from school for select high school students using the RTC Transit system. The objective of this collaboration is to provide safe and timely transportation service integrating the use of both the District and public transit system 

Does my school participate in RTC RideOn? 

The following schools are currently using RideOn for eligible students. 

• Basic HS 
• Las Vegas HS 
• Bonanza HS Legacy HS 
• Chaparral HS Liberty HS* 
• Cheyenne HS 
• Mojave HS 
• Cimarron-Memorial HS 
• Shadow Ridge HS 
• Clark HS 
• Sierra Vista HS 
• Del Sol HS 
• Spring Valley HS 
• Desert Oasis HS* 
• Sunrise Mountain HS 
• Durango HS 
• Valley HS 
• Green Valley HS 
• Western HS 
• Foothill HS 

*Eligible students will use the OnDemand RTC service at these schools. 

How were schools selected? 

Schools with RTC bus stops close by and frequent RTC transit routes (every 15-30 minutes) were selected. 

How do I know if I am eligible? 

Not all students attending the school are eligible for the RideOn program. Eligibility is based on the frequency of nearby transit routes, the proximity to the students’ residences, and in selected areas where CCSD transportation is no longer available. Please call CCSD Transportation at (702)799-8100 or complete the Google Form to verify eligibility. 

How do I get my monthly bus pass? 

To receive the initial bus pass, students must download the rideRTC app and complete the Google Form. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQZAGQASDHxBqhZCAv1niGE8qv2XSsA3dd_kcsy0rOD_H w5w/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 

Do I have to pay for the monthly pass? 

No. Monthly bus passes will be renewed for eligible students by the CCSD Transportation Department. 

What if I do not have a cell phone? 

If you do not have a cellular device, paper passes will be distributed at the school at the end of each month. 

How are bus passes renewed and distributed each month? 

Bus passes will be renewed on the rideRTC app every month through the end of May 2023. 

If you do not have a cellular device, paper passes will be distributed at the school at the end of each month. 

How do I find my stop? 

The rideRTC app assists with finding the bus and planning the ride. Schedules and maps can also be found on the RTC website at https://www.rtcsnv.com/ 

How can the rideRTC app help me? 

Users can receive text and email alerts to get real-time schedule information. 

Can I use the bus pass on the weekend? 

Bus passes must be used primarily for transportation to and from school. RTC offers more access to the community than a school bus.

In addition to school transportation, bus passes can provide the freedom and flexibility of traveling to other destinations free of charge, such as an after school job and on the weekends for access to the community. Passes that are not being used primarily for transportation to and from school will be deactivated. 

When do I begin riding the RTC bus? 

Students will be eligible to begin using RTC services on Monday, August 8, 2022. 

What are the rules for riding an RTC bus? 

The health and well-being of students will have the same priority as District operated vehicles. RTC has increased cleaning protocols for all buses and facilities; ion air cleaners; micro-bacterial seat shields; and live, up-to-the-minute bus crowding information on the rideRTC app. 

Is riding the RTC safe? 

All RTC buses are equipped with 12 high-resolution cameras with a live look-in feature, allowing RTC staff and law enforcement to see what is happening on a bus in real time. More than 200 officers patrol RTC stops, shelters, buses, and transit centers. Officers are outfitted with location beacons in order to respond to any reported incidents immediately

Family Resource Fair & Backpack Giveaway

 

Jul 30, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Desert Breeze Park, 8275 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89147, USA

REGISTER HERE

About The Event

The Family Resource Fair & Backpack Giveaway brought to you by JET Foundation & The Office of Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones, is a community resource event that provides information about educational opportunities for learners of all ages, a variety of family services provided by community partners, food trucks onsight, food distribution, backpack giveaway, vaccinations, library card services, raffles and plenty of fun activities. The fair welcomes famililes of all K-12, students in the valley. 

The fair will encompass referral information, health and nutrition services, children’s activities, family services and many other needed resources for community members. 

Thanks to all our community partners who help make this event possible!

 

Welcome to Fair Child Go for Families

Thank you for your interest in help for busy families. 

My name is Jennifer Fairchild. I offer transportation and errand services for busy families in my private car. I can transport kids to and from school on a regular basis and I am available to provide transportation for special events or take family members to appointments with supervision. I can also help families by running errands and receiving packages at my home to reduce the concern of theft or damage and deliver those packages when the family is available.

I think it's important for all families to work with someone they know. Package theft is on the rise despite the presence of home security systems. Rideshare companies won't accept individual passengers under the age of 18 years old and juggling multiple schedules and responsibilities often means help is needed outside of the home. In my experience, it works best, especially in times of special needs, that kids and their families have a relationship with someone they trust to help out. I am looking for families who need another set of hands and wheels to keep things moving smoothly.

I am currently setting up my schedule for the new school year to transport kids. I would like to help multiple families attending a single school rather than kids from different schools so I can stay aware of the school calendar and activities. I'd like to see if I could help the families of your students. I am also contacting other private schools to offer myself as a resource to those families too.

I like to get to know the families, their needs and preferences ahead of time with a face-to-face meeting and introduction to all family members. In the past, I've found it works well to know the school staff and teachers of students so I am not a stranger on school property and education professionals know what role I'll be playing with the families I support. Sometimes parents and schools need to communicate and I can facilitate that. I like to I offer snacks to riders as approved by the family. Car seats and booster seats will be available to those who schedule rides with me regularly. Communication and contingency plans are key to making these relationships work.

I drive a 2017 Toyota Prius V.  I live in a house in Spring Valley near Rainbow and Flamingo - quite safe for package delivery as I will be watching for packages personally. I am fully vaccinated. English is my primary language, but I also speak Spanish. In the past, I was a CPR and First Aid instructor for the American Red Cross in Minneapolis, MN. In Minnesota, I also volunteered and worked in schools and other organizations where I was required to pass security clearance to serve children and vulnerable adults. I moved to the Las Vegas Valley in 2020 from Minneapolis.  I do not have a family and do not work so I am very flexible to help 7 days per week, but I am not looking for a full-time position. 

Watch this space for schedules, special events, activities and more.