Special to The Post-Searchlight
A key indicator of a successful middle school experience is a positive transition from elementary school. Unfortunately, positive anything is difficult for soon-to-be middle school students, if all they can think about is:
“Will there really be that much more homework?”
“What if I can’t find the bathroom in that big school?”
“Will I be able to open my locker?”
“Do the big kids beat you up?”
These questions and more pour through the minds of incoming middle school students the summer before school begins. They are the cause for many sleepless nights and a summer of anxiety and anticipation.
As part of Decatur County Schools Parent Involvement Initiative, Hutto and Bainbridge Middle Schools’ Transition Programs will be hosting spring orientations for rising fifth and seventh grade students and their parents or guardians, followed by a tour of the school.
The Transition to Middle School Orientations are designed to help incoming middle school students and parents form a realistic expectation of what middle school will be like, provide a positive and successful first impression and ensure a successful introduction to the middle school experience.
Making the transition into middle school is one that deserves time and attention. Participating at this event will provide information concerning curriculum standards, grade level expectations, an overview of general school policies and procedures, and information about opportunities for students to participate outside of the academic classroom. These orientation sessions will help provide the foundation for a successful beginning to the middle school adventure.
Bainbridge Middle School will be hosting its transition orientation meeting for rising seventh graders and their parents or guardians Thursday, April 25, at 6:30 p.m., and Hutto Middle School will be hosting theirs Thursday, May 2, at 6:30 p.m.
Additional information and resources on middle school transitioning may be found by accessing the Parent Involvement and Resources website from the district website’s schools drop down menu — or by looking for the “Get Plugged In” logo on the local schools’ individual websites.