October 2005
OCTOBER IS MOYA !
The Month
Of
The Young
Adolescent
OMLEA NEWS: This past October, Governor Brad Henry signed a proclamation recognizing October as the Month of the Young Adolescent. The National Middle School Association has promoted this activity for several years now, and we are so pleased that Oklahoma has now joined in this worthy effort. Participation in Month of the Young Adolescent activities is a great way to raise awareness of the needs and accomplishments of our middle level students. By involving community and business leaders in the celebration, we can create public awareness of the importance of young adolescents and how we can all help them to reach their potential. It is not too early to begin planning for next October!
Some ideas to promote MOYA include encouraging your city, school board, and civic groups to join in proclaiming- October as the Month of the Young Adolescent. A sample proclamation can be found on the National Middle Schools Association website. Be sure to seek publicity after the group approves the proclamation. It’s a good idea to send a representative to the meeting when the proclamation is being adopted. It is also a great way to get photos and newspaper coverage.
Another opportunity to heighten awareness of Month of the Young Adolescent is Middle Level Shadow Day. Leading decision makers are invited to visit their local middle school. Several states have had great success with this, treating guests to various activities such as a student participant panel on adolescent issues, musical programs, dramatic presentations, a YA Pep Rally and other fun events.
Student artwork and student writing has also been a focal point of the celebration. “Expressions in the Middle” is an on-line forum for student art and writing sponsored by NMSA. Schools can initiate arts shows and writing competitions to showcase adolescent issues and talent and to encourage students to produce offerings for inclusion in next year’s forum.
Through the Month of the Young Adolescent celebration, we are focusing on the developmental needs and characteristics of young adolescents and how these impact parenting practices, health conditions, and educational programs for this age group. Working together, we can highlight the need for strong educational partnerships among the school, parents, students, and community members so that every 10- to 15 year-old will have the opportunity to become all he or she can and should become.