Thinking About Middle School

Calfgrit10 will be going into middle school, (6th grade), starting this summer. The school we’re assigned to had its open house for incoming students this week, and we took our soon-to-be 11 year old over for a look into his next big step. We left Calfgrit7 with his grandmother so we could give CG10 our full attention.

We sat through the welcome and introduction by the school principle, watched a short video about the school, and then walked around in the school. The various clubs had tables and rooms set up to present their subjects, and the visitors crowded the hallways. There were a few clubs/organizations that stood out to me.

The military, (at least the Marines), have a JROTC in middle school? I thought military recruitment didn’t start till high school. I don’t remember it in my middle school years. I don’t have any problem with the military, (I have respect for it/them), but middle school just seems a bit young to start officer recruitment.

There are two reading clubs: Guys Read and Chicklit. Yes, it’s actually called “Chicklit.” We, of course, had to check out the Guys Read club. It’s funny, but Calfgrit10 has already read all but one of the books the club had out on the table as examples. Hanging from the wall beside the table was a t-shirt with, “The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword. But Sword Fights are Pretty Cool.” I wish I had thought of that for a t-shirt.

We also checked out the Science Club. This club had an entire room for its displays. There were several experiments for the kids to play around with, a video showing on the wall screen, and the teacher was the “very excited, so cool” cliche. He waved his arms a lot, danced, sang, and did his best to make “Science!” exciting. This was funny too, because Calfgrit10 is already very interested in science, but he is not at all interested in anyone singing and dancing and making it “Cool!”.

After visiting the clubs, we three walked around to find the cafeteria and gymnasium. CG10 wanted to compare everything to what he was used to at elementary school. He seemed satisfied that middle school wasn’t some strange and terrifying institution that he’d be lost in.

Later, he asked why there were so many clubs and activities at middle school. Wifegrit explained how they are for learning more about interests, and then she added, “It also helps kids stay out of trouble.”

Calfgrit10 asked, “What kind of trouble?”

Wifegrit realized she probably said more than she needed to with him, (we have no worries of him getting into trouble), and she didn’t want to put any ideas into his head, so she kind of . . . oh, well . . . just . . . nothing you need to worry about . . . avoided giving a direct answer.

Calfgrit10 looked at her sincerely, and reassured her, “Don’t worry Mom, I’m never going to drink soft drinks. I know they’re not good for me.”

Bullgrit