Milton Fifth Graders Go 'On Tour' to Learn About Middle School

This year they are the big kids in school, the top of the heap as fifth graders at local elementary schools. But rising sixth graders are, "so excited to come to middle school that they forget that they are the younger class when coming in.  Lots of new things to learn and new people to meet," said Sarah Ann Biegelsen, the sixth grade assistant principal at Hopewell Middle School.

On May 12, fifth grade students from y got a chance to tour , where they will be attending in the fall.

The tour began with a performance by the Hopewell choir.  Following this was a Powerpoint presentation by Miss Biegelsen, explaining everything from what a day in middle school would be like, to agendas and the Talented And Gifted program, to  dressing out for P.E., the dress code, and the cell phone policy.  A "YES!" resonated from the fifth graders at the promise of lockers, and a cheer arose when they were informed that they would have more freedom over where to sit at lunchtime.

Prizes were given out for correctly answering trivia questions based on the Powerpoint, further increasing the welcoming atmosphere.

After the presentation, two sixth graders were paired up with two fifth graders, and the new students were given a student-lead tour of the front office, cafeteria, media center, gymnasium, and connections hall.  Most importantly, perhaps, the sixth graders showed them how to open a locker.

"They are definitely shocked when they come here initially," said Britt Beene, the communications coordinator.  "We love that because they are wonderful students, they love to follow the rules, they are very scared to break any rules in the beginning.  I think the biggest fear they all have is that things are going to get stuck in their locker and how to open their locker."

However, she said that the new sixth graders quickly realize that they have their own hallway separated from the eighth graders, so they are not so intimidated by going from the top class of the elementary school to the bottom class of the middle school.

When the students were congregated once again, they enjoyed cookies while the dance team, the jazz band, and the chamber orchestra each gave a performance, including familiar songs such as Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and a medley of Lady Gaga hits that left the fifth graders smiling.

"It's a big transition for them," Miss Biegelsen said, "but fortunately at Hopewell we have a very nurturing group of sixth grade teachers. Having these student tours helps a lot, helping with the transition. It's hard at the beginning, but they get through it; in about a week, they're into their routine."

Editor's Note: Since all fifth graders' parents had not signed consent forms for photos, no fifth graders are shown in the accompanying photos.