Middle School Question?

[disneyfor3boys]

I would really appreciate your comments/advice on a situation.

DS is moving from the elementary school (mixed age program) to the middle school. If that isn't change enough, he's going into a French Immersion Program. There will be many more students in this school since they are bussed in from surrounding areas. All of the children from his previous mixed age class have been together since Kindergarten and have formed some really solid friendships.

There are two classes of French Immersion. I heard today that DS is in one class, and every single one of his friends (including his best friend) are in the other There are two girls from his previous class in the new one, but...well...they're girls...LOL

DS is a popular kid amongst his peers, but has difficulty making new friends. He counts on his best friend to break the ice so to speak, and then forms friendships from there. Top that with speaking a new language and going to a bigger school.....and I'm worried....

Should I approach the school and see if it's possible to have him switched to the other class? Should I use this as a learning experience for DS and hope he forms new friends on his own? Is this too much change for DSto deal with all at once?

DS is such a quiet, sensitive boy, (he's not much for sharing his feelings with me anymore). I know my boy is growing up and needs to handle some of these things on his own, I just don't want to overwhelm him....

Ok, pass the cyber kleenex...I'm a real mess right now....

Thanks for your imput!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Can't hurt to ask...

 

[sue1013]

I would leave him in the class he's assigned to. He's got to learn how to meet and get along with new kids. Kids are much stronger than what we mothers think they are. After a month you'll wonder what you were thinking.

 

[powellrj]

we are dealing with the samething now. DS is in middle school (8th grade) and they have teams. He has been on a team with all of his friends for 2 years and this year, he is the only one on his team from his group. We are talking about a group of about 20 boys so this is a huge group to not have 1 friend in. He just came home today and said school just isn't the same this year. Luckly he can still see the kids at church and at afterschool activities, but the problems lies in that a lot of plans are made at lunch and homeroom, and he misses out on many things or doesn't find out until the last minute. Because of classes they are taking there is no way to change teams. If there is a way to change the classes I would, because this is a hard time for kids sending hugs to you

 

[geffric]

I would ask for a switch but not make the reason social but academic.. refer to his learning style and the teachers qualifications, etc...

 

[damo]

Wow, sounds exactly like my son. Don't worry, this will be great for him. The French Immersion kids get really, really close and he will be fine. My son, now 15, always manages to find someone and then just branches out from there.

 

[RitaZ.]

Should I use this as a learning experience for DS and hope he forms new friends on his own?

I think so. How is your DS handling the change?

My DS is in 7th grade and started at a new school almost 3 weeks ago. They also have teams, but none of his friends from the old school is in his team. My son is a quiet kid and isn't one to make the first move when it comes to friendships. He has made a new friend and is happy at the new school.

Kids can definitely surprise you. My DS walks home from school and there was one boy that tried to bully him. DS ended up standing up to the kid and the boy stopped coming after DS. I didn't think that DS would handle it on his own, considering his personality and all. He stood up for himself and I'm really proud of him for doing it, not to mention that it was a boost to his self-confidence.

Anyway, my point is that this could be a great learning experience for your DS and one where he really will feel independent and good about himself. Give it a chance.

 

[Barb D]

My son just started 8th grade after having been homeschooled. He didn't know a SOUL in the entire 8th grade. I suggested to him that he find someone else who was alone and introduce himself. He did, it worked, and now he has at least one friend. One at a time, slowly but surely...