Middle School Celebrates Month of the Young Adolescent

Groton-Dunstable Regional Middle School, along with middle level schools throughout the United States, will celebrate Month of the Young Adolescent this month to draw attention to the unique needs of 10- to 15-year-olds and ways people can support these youngsters. Month of the Young Adolescent was created to bring about greater awareness of four key concepts that will help young adolescents reach their potential:

•The importance of parents being knowledgeable about young adolescents and being actively involved in their lives;

•Understanding that healthy bodies plus healthy minds equal healthy young adolescents;

•Realizing that young adolescents' education experiences during this formative period of life will, in large measure, determine the future for all citizens; and

•Knowledge that every young adolescent should have the opportunity to pursue his or her dreams and aspirations, and post-secondary education should be a possibility for all.

The school will host its annual Parent Shadow Day Friday, Oct. 19 to draw attention to the importance of this age group. Mr. Silverman, middle school Principal announced. "Our community has an impressive record of supporting education. It's essential, however, that all of us look at how we can develop even more support for this important age group. Helping young adolescents is an investment in our community."

Parents will be given the opportunity to attend classes with their child and then attend one of two assemblies. This year's performances will include: Actor Andrew Trischitta from the TV series, One Life to Live will be making a guest appearance to talk about the severity of bullying. He will be joined by Krysten Moore, founder of S.H.I.N.E. (Students Helping Instill Self Esteem). Krytsen was also a victim of bullying and will speak about its harmful effects.s