West Cocoa Chat

In many middle schools across America, the concept of "school within a school" is a standard practice. The more generic term is “teaming.” The team (4 academic teachers / approximately 130 students) that I am a member of is called the “Spartans Team.” We practice what for many middle schools is the annual rite of holding a “team dinner.” Actually we should have called our meeting a “Team Dessert” since we only served sweets following our presentation.

The main purpose of a Team Dinner is to give both parents and students a non-threatening venue that they can use to become more familiar with their child’s teachers and facility. Each member of our team spoke on different aspects of making the transition from elementary school to high school in their 2 years (7th and 8th grades) at a middle school.

Two thoughts came to mind:
First, I remembered how just a few short years ago, not only was I a teacher presenting this kind of material to anxious and worried parents who were bringing their children from the sheltering environment of an elementary school, I was one of “them” when my son was here.

Second, I couldn’t help but think of the church. Do we need to hold “Team Dinners” at our churches so to speak for our new members and our visitors? I’ve been in “church” for so long I wonder if I can identify with how a visitor or new member feels when they first enter our church environment.

Just a thought or two.
Have a good day bloggers.