middle schools

Middle Tennessee State University's School of Agriculture has received a grant to launch a mental health initiative in partnership with the university's Center for Health and Human Services. The program will focus on mental health support for the agricultural community, a sector where stress and access to care are longstanding concerns. Details on the grant amount and specific services have not yet been released.

The Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy has released a preview of its 'Robot Coding Fundamentals with LEGO CS & AI' course, designed for grades 6-8. The program teaches middle school students coding and artificial intelligence basics through LEGO robotics. Educators are taking note as demand grows for classroom-ready computer science and AI teaching materials.

A weekly group watch night is inviting anyone to join a free online screening of Bo Burnham's Eighth Grade (2018) tonight at 7pm Pacific Time. Organizers share streaming links and welcome newcomers, describing the event as open to everyone. The film, about an anxious teenager navigating middle school, continues to draw fans through informal community movie nights.

Kenny Moore II, once an unsigned player, stepped away from football and worked as an 8th grade teacher before earning another opportunity in the NFL. The story of his path from the classroom back to professional football is drawing attention as a notable comeback in the league.

A parent admitted forgetting the 'identity element' from algebra 1 proofs and had to relearn it so she and her significant other could split algebra tutoring duties for their middle child. Their son joked it was 'new math,' and the parents replied it was probably really old. The exchange is striking a chord with others juggling homework help.

Middle school art students in Las Vegas have created a special art project honoring the victims of the 1 October shooting, the 2017 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest festival that killed 58 people. Local outlet FOX5 Vegas covered the students' tribute, which adds a youth voice to the community's ongoing remembrance of the attack.

A fashion-industry mother has published a list of ten wardrobe basics aimed at refreshing parents' back-to-school outfits. The piece, on Who What Wear, frames the picks as practical staples for mothers juggling school runs with style. It lands in the middle of seasonal shopping season, when readers are looking for simple wardrobe updates rather than full overhauls.

Australian country music singer Lily Grace performed at Greenville Middle School, according to WAKA Action 8 News. The stop brought an international touring artist to a local Alabama school, giving students a live country music performance. Further details about the visit, including whether it was part of a wider tour or school program, have not been reported.

Yale University is broadening a music mentoring program that pairs university musicians with local New Haven middle school students. The expansion increases the program's scope beyond its previous reach, offering more young students access to instrument lessons and mentorship. The initiative is part of Yale's broader community engagement efforts in the city, and is being covered by campus press.

A short social media post from Japan shows a parent amused that their middle school child had bought remarkable shoes, with a laughing emoji underscoring the affectionate surprise. The item is tagged with topics about parent-child relationships, middle schoolers, and fashion. Beyond the brief caption, no further details about the shoes or the family have been shared.

The Gardner Newman boys golf team has won the West Georgia Middle School championship, according to the LaGrange Daily News. The victory gives the LaGrange, Georgia school a regional middle school title, and local coverage is celebrating the young golfers' achievement.

The Jackson Advocate reports that a free online science course is helping local middle school students test their tap water at home. The programme aims to give young learners hands-on experience with water quality testing and raise awareness about safe drinking water in their communities.

The Pine Bush Central School District Board of Education and Circleville Middle School have committed to the No Place for Hate pledge, an anti-bias and anti-bullying initiative. By signing on, district leaders and students pledge to promote inclusion, challenge discrimination, and foster a welcoming school environment throughout the academic year.

The comedians behind 'I Mom So Hard' are talking candidly about the realities of raising middle schoolers, touching on the chaotic blend of hormones, attitude and growing independence that comes with that age. Parents are responding to the familiar, comedic take on a stage of childhood many find the most challenging to navigate.

School Library Journal has published a roundup of 16 middle grade and young adult novels that put mental health at the center of their stories. The list highlights how children's and teen publishing continues to expand honest portrayals of anxiety, depression, grief and other struggles, offering young readers books that reflect their experiences and give educators and librarians starting points for conversations.