Sixth Graders Get First Glimpse Of Middle School Life

Reed Intermediate School sixth graders recently visited Newtown Middle School for student orientation where they spent time with current middle school students who stoked their excitement and allayed their fears.

"You can handle it," said Drew Szarka, one of the middle school students participating in the orientation. "It's a challenge, but you can handle it."

Andrew Derrickson, one of the eigth grade tour guides said the sixth graders probably possess a mix of fear and curiousity about middle school.

"They are nervous, but they think it will be a freer and more interactive environment than Reed," he said.

Tour guide Nikki Malia told the Reed students in her group that they would get more free time and more social time in middle school -- most notably in a favorite after-school activity.  They call it walking.

This is probably the biggest change from intermediate to middle school.  Instead of riding the bus home or being picked up by parents, middle school students can sign themselves out at dismissal and walk around Queen Street to hang out at Big Y or the Ice Cream Shop.

Students take on more responsibility in extra-curricular activities as well.  They can be on yearbook and actually make it, and write stuff for the literary magazine, said seventh grade panelist Brittany Watson.  She also piqued the younger group's interest by mentioning ski trips, school dances, and the "really fun" spirit week, which has theme days and a big pep rally.

Bryce Decker, 13, addressed concerns about school work, which he said was harder than at Reed. 

"But you're getting older, so it's nothing you can't handle,"  he said

Bryce also warned that students were responsible for finding out about missed assignments and confirmed reports that middle school teachers are "pretty tough on late homework." 

They pretty much don't accept it, he said.  He encouraged them to stay organized so they would not receive a zero grade.

Brittany, Bryce and the other two seventh grade panelists Constantine Gregoire, 12, and Katelyn Zimmerman, 13, were recommended by their teachers for this task.  Kate MacKinney, seventh grade guidance counselor, said she likes to utilize as many students as possible in the orientation sessions.    

These students were selected because they would be comfortable speaking to a group and could miss a few hours of class for three days without suffering academically, MacKinney said. 

Eighth graders who served as tour guides are students who were not able to attend the Washington DC trip that the rest of the class took during that week.

"It's nice to see them step up to the responsibility," MacKinney said.

Alyssa Moreira, Kayla Crisali and Kirstin Liniger were other tour guides who seemed excited about their roles.  They enjoyed answering the questions and showing the new students that the eighth graders were not to be feared.

 "Some boys wanted to know if they could go into the girl's locker room," Matt Janco, 13, said.  "That was a 'no.'"

As Molly Spak showed the kids around the school, they expressed their worries about getting around the big and confusing school. 

The fun-filled morning helped the sixth graders feel a little bit more familiar with the school they will be attending next year.  Their excitement about the new opportunities only slightly outweighs their apprehension about all of the changes that they know they will experience at Newtown Middle School.

On Thursday May 6 at 7:00 p. m. there is an orientation session for parents of current sixth graders.

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