Mr. Mittenmeyer

It's near the end of school and I'm going to talk about getting ready for seventh grade. Why? Junior high is a very important transition time in the lives of your children for a number of reasons. The school district feels it is important enough that we begin the process in sixth grade when Meadow Lane and our junior highs coordinate activities to introduce our soon-to-be seventh graders (and their parents) to junior high life. In this article I want to zero in on the social aspect. Seventh grade is a major social step - your child has a greater responsibility for his or her personal behavior and how that behavior impacts others. Parents, are you aware that certain negative student behaviors in the junior high require police action to be taken ? This action can range from a basic police report to a student being charged and going to court. The reason certain students get into trouble, they believe some negative and/or inappropriate behaviors are ok, even socially acceptable! Thus when they engage in these behaviors with others they set themselves up for negative consequences.

One of the specific ways that the guidance program can assist sixth grade students in learning about responsible behavior , besides presenting classroom lessons on bullying, conflict resolution, child abuse etc ., is by supporting and making students aware of the Youth Court program (*see below). Last month, on April 11th , Meadow Lane students, along with other Olathe elementary schools went to ONWHS to participate in the Olathe District Schools' Law Day. Kory Norris, Staff Counsel Student Services, and junior/senior high student representatives involved in various program such as Youth Court made the presentation. This presentation a) promoted the Youth Court program with the intent that some of your 6th grade students would submit applications so they can be involved in the program as early as this summer; b) reviewed behaviors and consequences related to our district's Student Code of Conduct to emphasize appropriate junior/senior high behavior as well as appropriate end-of-the-year sixth grade behavior; and c) presented a mock trial where inappropriate student behavior (stealing another student's Ipod) caused the student to be involved in the legal system and sentenced.

In years past one sixth grade student summed up the program's message to me by stating, "So what they are saying is that some of the things (behaviors) we think are ok are really not allowed in junior high - they (behaviors) could get us into serious trouble." This student heard and understood the message! This same message was stated by the YC Judge during the April 11th presentation when he told the student audience "In junior high you can't get away with things you did in elementary school".

*Youth Court is an alternative to the Johnson County Juvenile Court system. It is staffed completely by students and handles first time offenders of misdemeanor offenses. The following is quoted from the Youth Court brochure: It is totally student run, students serve as judges, jurors, attorneys, clerks, bailiffs and service offices. Student attorneys prepare their cases, student judges pronounce rulings, and student jurors convict or acquit without adult interference.

*District patrons have identified several elements that they believe will help students succeed in the 21st century, including career/real world experiences and character or citizenship education. Olathe Youth Court embodies those concepts, giving young people meaningful, real-world experiences and life lessons about responsibility and consequences. Because of its success, Olathe Youth Court is a model for several youth courts throughout the state. Please ask your 6th graders about their Law Day experience and ask if they want to participate in the Youth Court program . . . they have the information.

Parents of soon-to be seventh graders . All year long our sixth grade teachers Mr. Fasse, Mr. Hughes, Mrs. Nicholas and Ms. Poland have been helping to prepare your child to make a successful academic and social transition into junior high. I know that you appreciate the work that these teachers have been doing just as we, the staff, appreciate their efforts here at school. Also remember your child continues to need your involvement and guidance especially during their teenage years (isn't parenting fun!).

Smart Dad Idea: Get some sleep even when a teenager is out late. Set your alarm for the curfew hour. If they get home before the deadline they can shut it off - and wake you, if you want. Otherwise the alarm will alert you to a missed curfew.

Summer Reading Celebration