LVMS House Switch

My husband and I both attended LVMS and our houses switched each year and we hope it will b ed the same situation for our children when they attend LVMS

As a graduate of LVMS, this is a shame. Kids shouldn’t be limited to a specific group of other kids. How can they make friends if it’s the same cliches in the same Houses? I really hope the administration reconsiders this proposal.

I attended LVMS 5th-8th grade from 1993-1996. I would have not survived middle school if I had to be in the same house each year with the same students. I was bullied throughout middle school, especially in 5th and 6th grade by the same group of girls. I finally did not have them in my house in 7th and 8th grade. That bulling effected my education, it effected my daily life. I finally was able to enjoy school and get all the benefits in school when I did not have those girls in my house in 7th and 8th grade. As a educator myself, a parent, and a past student I strongly encourage the change of houses. To me it seems as an easy way to schedule and laziness on the schools part.

My children are not yet middle school age but I hope this house system changes!

This is a great idea and well overdue!

Thank you!

I disagree with the house system. It has put my son into difficulties with bullies that he has in his house and he can't get away from them for three years. Please get out of the house system!

Taryn Blaine Mansolino This Really is very well written ,Extremely Informative,Factually based ( from a medical perspective.. your hitting the nail on the head with growth and development)... In this day and age ,especially, with social media ,cyber bullying etc... Let’s allow our children EVERY OPPORTUNITY .. to explore new friendships,Exposing them to different social situations ,meeting people of All walks of life ... Let’s continue to plant the seed now.. not isolate them to the same children in a house - yea.. I get that you will rotate kids within the house... But, Our children deserve better... Don’t allow the child who maybe doesn’t “ click” to feel “ trapped”... The world is a Big place .. Let’s encourage our kids to get out there , say hello, Learn about different cultures etc. High school is challenging enough.. ! Wouldn’t it be great for a child to say” oh hey, I remember you”or “ Guys stop.. she / he is nice.. and go to bat for you!! I support this Movement.. 100%!!! Without hesitation.. It’s time we continue to shed light on this ,Inform those who may not be aware of “ this is what it is”... Let’s not be complacent.. Let’s be a part of the solution!

Hopefully this can start the conversation with the administration.

Children need to be allowed to socialize with everyone. Locking them in for 3 years with the same group of kids is not beneficial and can be extremely detrimental to their well-being. It can also lead to bullying ,especially if they are put into a house with children that they do not get along with.

I never understood the benefit of keeping the kids in the same house throughout the MS years. Any explanation I was given seemed to benefit the administration not the kids. Not sure if it was the houses or just the MS years, but my very social child became much less confident socially at the MS. There are so many new friends to be made as all the elementary schools come together. Foster new friendships, don’t hold them back. Reshuffle the houses every year!

Mixing the houses each year would give these young people the opportunity to develop relationships with more people. It would also mean that a bad situation would not have to be endured for the entire MS experience.

I’ve had two children go through the middle school and now my youngest is in sixth grade. I believe they changed it to not switching the houses the year before my oldest went to sixth grade. We weren’t happy about it then and made arguments about it. I don’t see any benefit for the children to keep them with the same kids for three years. Especially since in middle school you’re bringing the three grammar schools together; I should have the opportunity to meet more of the children. Then they go to high school and now they’ve only have interacted with 1/3 of the population going to the high school. Can’t see any reason of why they are doing this besides the extra work each year of reassigning houses.

Not sure what the benefit is in keeping w the same house...

Not sure what the possible rationale for doing this was in the first place, but I agree the practice should be discontinued. Reshuffle the deck each year or eliminate the "house" system entirely after the 6th grade year. I understand as you mix all the elementary schools together the first time you would like to manage the change that creates for the students, but after that first year, I dont see the benefit. Thanks!

2 girls went through the middle school. Not a good experience keeping the same children together.

Change is good :) teach them to move beyond comfort zones..that way we build strong fearless humans for the future..and we need many of them.

Students in middle school should not be limited to the same classmates and teachers year after year. It limits their social skills. I do not understand the reason behind it. We are new to Long Valley and my very social freshman found most kids at WMC to be friendly, but are hesitant to meet/get to know someone new. He can’t even get kids to pair up with him in his PE class! Shouldn’t we encourage our kids to learn these soft skills instead of holding them back?

100% agree!

I remember mixing it up every year and it being super helpful with 3 elementary schools going into one middle school