Dear WMS Families:
Day to day you might not always hear as many words of love and praise from your middle schooler as you deserve. In a time of life often filled with angst and turmoil, it can feel to parents like they have suddenly been cast as the enemy in an adolescent play. As students push boundaries and try on different identities, they may neglect to communicate their deeply felt appreciation for their parents and guardians. I want to assure you that your children do value you, even if they sometimes hide it well. I have proof. I surveyed our Wayland Middle School student body and collected a myriad of answers to the prompt, “Tell me one thing you appreciate about your parent(s) or guardian(s).” Here is a sample of what WMS children had to say:
“I love when my mom double wraps my fruit to make sure the juice doesn't spill, and always gives me a delicious lunch.”
“I love when I come home from school, and my mom hears me open the door, and yells ‘Hi!’ in her really cheery voice, to me and my brother!”
“I love my mom because she is always there to talk and listen to me. She is always willing to adjust her needs and wants so she can fulfill mine.”
“I love when my dad takes me and my dog for a walk, and we usually talk about stuff that's happening at school. It helps me let off steam by talking about things.”
“I appreciate my mom's willingness to give me advice on friends and school, even when I don't ask for it.”
“I love that my parents always trust I'll make the right decision.”
“When I am having trouble with math, my dad will always sit down with me and help me out, no matter how long it takes.”
“I love it when my mom helps me study for a upcoming test or quiz, because I know that she has learned all the things I have to study, so she knows what she is talking about.”
“I appreciate my mother’s help with getting important components for projects like the quiz board project.”
“My dad always cheers me on, on the sports field and in the classroom. He's great encouragement for everything I do, and never lets me give up or give anything but my best effort.”
“Whenever I am grumpy or anything my dad knows what will cheer me up. Whether it's going to lunch, shopping at my favorite sporting goods store, or just exercising, he always helps me feel better.”
“I love to sing with my mom. Whether it's belting out the lyrics to "Let it Go," or humming a classical tune, we are singing and giving our all!”
“I love when my parents play soccer with me in the front yard!”
“Some Fridays my mom gathers my family together and we order food in and watch a movie together. It's always fun when she plans these because it is nice to spend time as a family.”
“I enjoy helping my mom bake... especially cookies-- mmmm, yum! She's always patient, even when I forget to start the oven, or when I spill flour everywhere. We laugh through it all, and lick our fingers continuously. It's delicious, enthralling, and filled with laughter!”
“I love to go running around the neighborhood with my dad. We race from one driveway, to the next. I never get tired of the fun time we have together when running-- well, except for the wave of exhaustion that comes from the actual running part.”
“I appreciate it so much how my mom picks me up after school sports everyday ALL YEAR LONG. It's saved me a ton of walking :)”
“I love how I can look up to them and they are such good role models.”
While they may not always tell you, you are their sounding boards, their cheerleaders, their support structures, and their role models. They truly enjoy spending time with you. Your children notice both the big things and the little details of life that you make possible.
On behalf of the staff I would like to convey how much we, like your children, appreciate your partnership in this educational journey. Wayland is an amazingly supportive community that values education and the hard work of teachers. I would like to give a special shout out to the PTO and their many volunteering and fundraising efforts that enrich our school. An extra special thank you to our PTO executive board, Peg Trentini, Sharon Burke, Carla Stafford, Amy Simmons, and Alexia Obar. Cathy Scholtz has also played an invaluable role in setting up monthly Middle and More Parent Coffees. Additionally, our School Council has been a fabulous sounding board this year. Finally, I’d like to thank the Wayland Public School Foundation, who, like the PTO, has dedicated countless hours to fund the innovative ideas of teachers. I wish all of you a fabulous summer vacation filled with a little more time to talk, bake, run, shop, sing, or play soccer in the front yard with your middle schoolers.
Respectfully,
Betsy Gavron
