Middle School Newsletter Template

🎓 Parent Guide to the Middle School Mind

⏰ Program Reminders

👔 M.E. – Male Empowerment Program

📝Crosby Academy

💡 Community Service Ideas

📱 Middle School Contacts

Building Strong Back-to-School Habits

As a new school year begins, now is the perfect time to help your middle schooler build healthy habits that set them up for success. Research shows that consistent routines help students feel more confident, reduce stress, improve focus, and support academic success. Establishing habits early can make the transition back to school much smoother.

Back-to-School Parent Tips:

• 💤 Set a consistent bedtime and wake-up routine.
• 🎒 Pack backpacks, charge devices, and lay out clothes the night before.
• 📚 Create a dedicated homework space free from distractions.
• 📱 Set screen-time limits on school nights, especially before bedtime.
• 🗓️ Review the family calendar each week so everyone knows what's ahead.

Parent Challenge:
This month, choose one new routine to practice as a family. Small habits repeated consistently can lead to big success throughout the school year!

Sources:
Parents Magazine, "Day and Night: The Back-to-School Routine" – Parents Magazine Back-to-School Routine Guide

Frederick County Public Schools, "Healthy Habits for Effective Learning" – Healthy Habits for Effective Learning

Crosby Scholars Middle School Requirements: As Easy as 1, 2, 3!

Staying active in the Crosby Scholars Program is easy! Each school year, middle school students must complete the following requirements:

1️⃣ Attend a Crosby Scholars Academy
Participate in one Crosby Scholars Academy during the school year.

2️⃣ Complete and Submit Community Service
Complete at least 2 hours of community service and submit your hours using the online Community Service Form.

3️⃣ Be a Good Citizen
Demonstrate positive behavior at school and in your community by being respectful, responsible, and engaged.

⭐ Remember: These requirements must be completed every school year to remain active and in good standing with the Crosby Scholars Program.

The M.E. (Male Empowerment) Program is designed specifically for middle school male Crosby Scholars in grades 6–8. Through engaging activities, mentoring, and meaningful experiences, M.E. helps young men build confidence, leadership skills, responsibility, and positive relationships.

Students will have opportunities to connect with positive role models, explore their strengths, develop important life skills, and learn what it means to become a strong leader at school and in their community.

Community service is an important part of the Crosby Scholars Program. As a program of Goodwill Industries, we believe in helping others, strengthening our communities, and making a positive impact wherever we live, learn, and serve.

Each Crosby Scholar is required to complete 2 hours of community service each school year. The good news is that your service does not have to be completed through a Crosby Scholars event. Any volunteer service that benefits others can count!

✅ Examples of Community Service:

• Volunteering at a school event
• Helping at a church or faith-based organization
• Assisting with a community cleanup
• Volunteering at a food pantry, shelter, or nonprofit organization
• Participating in service projects through clubs, sports teams, or youth groups

❌ Examples That Do NOT Count:

• Paid jobs or babysitting
• Household chores for your family
• Activities completed for a grade or class requirement without a volunteer component

⚠️ Most Important: Submit Your Hours!

Completing community service is only half the requirement. You must also submit your hours using the online Community Service Submission Form below. If you do not submit your hours, Crosby Scholars has no way to verify or record your service, and you may not receive credit toward your program requirement.