Stress Management

Our sixth grade students adjust to a new academic and social climate at the Freetown-Lakeville Middle School. Our students complete a three segment transition program prepared by their guidance counselor. The primary focus of the transition program is to help students identify their sources of stress and to reduce or alleviate stress in their everyday lives. 


What is Stress? 

Stress is emotional and physical strain caused by our response to pressure. Everyone experiences stress a little differently.                       

What are the symptoms of stress?

Physical Symptoms (Tense muscles, headaches, stomach problems): These are the most common symptoms of stress.

Fatigue or Insomnia: When under stress, children may have problems sleeping.

Eating: When under stress, children may eat too little or too much.

Loss of Concentration or Forgetfulness: When under stress, children may have trouble concentrating in school and/or at home. They may forget their classwork or homework assignments at home or in their lockers.

Sadness: When under stress, students may feel sad because they are overwhelmed.

Irritability and Moodiness: When under stress, students’ moods can be effected.

Solutions to Stress

What parents can do to help their children:



Benefits of Stress: 

Remind your child that some stress can be a good thing because it provides us with the energy and motivation to do well on things that are important to us. 

Eating together:

Eating together is a great opportunity to have your child talk about the day and the issues that may have arisen.



Don’t rush your answers:

As parents, we like to respond immediately to our children’s questions and concerns. It’s important that we listen to what they need to say before coming to any conclusions.



You’re not alone:

Reassure your child that he/she is not the only student experiencing this worry. It is usually helpful for a child to hear that his/her mother and father experienced the same worry when they were a student. 


4. Using the Agenda Book:

Help you child to use the agenda book on a daily basis. Making lists in the agenda book will help your child feel organized and more at ease about his/her schoolwork. 


5. Taking care of themselves:
Encourage your children to:

Get enough sleep

Eat a nutritious diet

Exercise or play sports

Listen to soothing music

Join extracurricular activities

Spend quality time with family members

Relax when your body tells you to do so

Build strong relationships with friends 




6. Talk about it! 




Solutions to Stress

What is available at our school: 


The guidance counselors 

at FLMS are always

available to talk to 

your child about 

his/her concerns 

regarding stress. 

Your child should see 

 the guidance secretary, to make an appointment with his/her counselor.

Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s guidance counselor with any questions or concerns.