Incoming Massapequa Sixth-Graders Attend Orientation At Berner Middle School

After all the controversy over the past few months, incoming Massapequa sixth-graders finally prepared for their first day at Berner Middle School during orientation this week.

It wasn't until recently that local sixth graders figured out what school they were going to.

In February, the board voted to approve including sixth grade at Berner Middle School in Massapequa, also by a 3-2 vote, which would have been in effect starting September 2017.

However, last month, the Board of Education approved two resolutions reversing the plan to move of the grade 6 program to the middle school by a 3-2 vote.

The plan to reverse the move caused many several local parents to create a petition to stop the reversal which resulted in New York State Commissioner MaryEllen Elia issued a one-page order barring the district from cancelling the plan.

After all of that, this week incoming sixth- and seventh-graders at got a head start on the new school year.

They attended one of seven Tour the Schedule dates in the week leading up to the first day of school.

The new students were joined by their parents, older siblings and friends as they roamed the school to find out where their classes will be.

In the lobby, Principal Jason Esposito, Executive Assistants to the Principal Barbara Lowell and Beth Mullins and Dean of Students Robert Tucker handed out combination locks for the lockers.

Students and parents were able to ask questions about transportation, scheduling, the use of Chromebooks and the school’s house structure, which breaks each grade into smaller groups of 185 students who are assigned to
specific core subject teachers and a guidance counselor.

Esposito said he was glad that so many families took advantage of Tour the Schedule because it gives students confidence to succeed in their new environment.

“It was a great opportunity to meet all of our students and parents and welcome them to the Berner family,” he said. “It’s going to be an amazing year.”

Photo Captions:

1: Berner Middle School Principal Jason Esposito and Dean of Students Robert Tucker greeted a group of new seventh-grade students during Tour the Schedule.

2: Incoming sixth-graders Kevin Glenn, left, and William Tompkins received their new locks.

Photo courtesy of Massapequa School District