PETERS TOWNSHIP
SCHOOL DISTRICT
NEW CLASSES AIMED AT STUDENT SUCCESS AT PTMS
As our children move through their school years , there are many transitions . One of the biggest milestones is the transition from elementary to middle school . Students find themselves in a larger school , interacting with more teachers , taking on more responsibility – it can be overwhelming . This year , Peters Township Middle School introduced two new courses into the curriculum designed to ease that stress for our 6th grade students and help them succeed .
As the District restructured its Middle School model to incorporate 6th grade , administrators wanted to be sure to provide these younger students with the tools they needed . To make that happen , teachers Heather Lasser and Dan Hudak teamed up to create the AIM Course – Achieving in Middle School .
“ We wanted to start our students off early with a growth mindset ,” explained Hudak . “ They need to know that if they put the work in , they can get better . Instead of just thinking ‘ I ’ m not good at math .’”
Lasser , who was also making a big transition this year from teaching at McMurray Elementary to the new Middle School , explained that they also began with the basics – building tours , introducing students to key staff members .
“ Sixth grade is a big jump ,” said Lasser . “ It ’ s our goal to help them find a good balance and find success .”
Lessons focus around the ideas of setting good priorities , time management , and good study skills , but they also include instruction on using PowerSchool to check their grades and how to email teachers properly and politely .
AIM is a 30-day course at the school that all students rotate through during the course of the year . eters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Students use rocks , pebbles and sand to illustrate setting good priorities and not letting life ’ s distractions get in their way .
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