Dear Parents of TSMS,
We are pleased to announce a special event at this month's PTA meeting ( 6 PM Wednesday January 20, 2010 ):
Navigating the Emotional Lives of Middle Schoolers:
A Conversation Facilitated by Co-Dean of Students, Adam Weinstock.
Adam is in his 7th year at TSMS: 5 years as Humanities teacher, his second year as Dean. He has been coordinating Advisory, passionately reading, attending conferences, thinking about restorative discipline models and social-emotional development.
The format of the discussion will be as follow:
1. Intro: Who We Are and Emotional Intelligence at TSMS
2. What’s special and unique about early adolescents? What’s on a 6th/7th/8th grader’s mind?
3. What do preteens need from the adults in their lives?
4. What are our questions and concerns?
5. Tips & Resources
6. Closing: Take-Aways
Pertaining to subject #4 above, if anyone has questions and concerns regarding your child or this topic and would like to keep it personal you can email your question to Adam ( aweinstock@tsmsonline.org ) or Ting ( tyih@tsmsonline.org ) in advance. The question then will be addressed at the meeting.
Quoting from Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
"The transition to middle school or junior high marks an end to childhood, and is itself a formidable emotional challenge. All other problems aside, as they enter this new school arrangement virtually all students have a dip in self-confidence and a jump in self-consciousness; their very notions of themselves are rocky and in tumult." ( p. 275; Bantam Books; 1995 )
We look forward to seeing you all at this important evening.
And Happy New Decade!!
Rosemary and Ting
PTA Co-Presidents
