How To Ready Your Middle School Student For First Day

It’s the back-to-school time of year already. And, with the short summer we have had in Renton, it makes it even that much harder.

Count in this major transitional period for teens and tweens — and its a recipe to put parents and their kids on eggshells. Here are some words of wisdom to turn the experience into a cakewalk.

Area teachers offer some suggestions for easing your kids back into school — and middle school teacher Emily Seaman offers her take on how to ease the transition from summer to school.

When Schools Start:

The  has two dates for starting time.

• For Middle School, Grade 6 starts on August 31, Grades 7 and 8 on September 1.
• If you have a Renton address your kids might go to either the Kent or the Issaquah School District. Issaquah starts on August 30, while the Kent School District starts on September 1.

The Middle School Set:

Emily Seaman is a middle school teacher at  and she knows that going back to school is always tough in the fall (even for teachers!) because it's hard to get back into a regular routine.

"Sleeping in until 11 (teachers do that too, she says) and then having to get up at 6am is rough on the body and mind." 

"I would recommend that parents start getting their kids into a school routine on Monday. Maybe not getting up at 6am right away...but don't let kids sleep the days away and then get slammed with it on the first day of school," Seaman said.

Seaman advises that students get back into the practice of reading as well. 

"I think every middle school teacher would tell their students to read at least a half hour every day at home...kids can start that before school starts too!" 

Seaman reminds parents and students that "sharpening your mind and getting back into thinking again is a good idea."

Middle School is one of the most difficult times for transition, but Seaman thinks that it can be a great time for both parents and teens.

"While middle school is an exciting time, it can also come with all sorts of tension and stress for both students and parents.  I would tell students: "You're going to be fine.  This is such a fun time to start to grow up and take responsibility for yourself.  You are going to meet new people, try new things."

Seaman says to students: "Your teachers care about you, lean on them when you need help." And for parents: "You're going to be fine. This is such a fun time for your children to try new things, struggle, and be supported by you. They're going to make mistakes and no matter HOW MUCH they tell you they don't need any help, THEY DO!"

Word of wisdom from a middle school teacher? "Don't give them too much of the reins, they need you to stay consistent with expectations, give them more responsibility as they demonstrate they can handle it, and praise them when they succeed."