Story and Photo by Lisa Carolin
Emotions ranged from excitement to concern at Beach Middle School’s April 2 meeting for the parents of fifth-graders. Beach Principal Nick Angel tried to answer the most asked questions during his presentation, including the topics of sixth-grade camp, team placement, daily schedules and sixth-grade orientation.
“All students and parents are nervous about a transition to a new school with new expectations, and we are here to make this as smooth as possible,” said Angel.
About half the parents who filled the school’s cafeteria already had students who attended Beach.
“My son is really excited about sixth-grade camp,” said parent Michele Dahlgren, who says that her other son who is now in seventh-grade and doing very well at Beach.
Parent Judy Atkinson said she couldn’t believe her child would soon be in middle school.
“I remember when we were having the kindergarten meeting,” she said. “How quickly the years go by.”
Parents got to see a typical sixth-grade schedule, which had most of the academic subjects in the morning followed by B lunch, which Angel said is just for sixth-graders.
In the afternoon, students have six-week rotations with courses in computers, physical education, art, technology, swimming and health.
As far as teaming goes, Angel explained, “There is no difference between the blue and gold teams. It’s the life blood of the building, and allows there to be more eyes on your children.”
He pointed out that sixth-grade students get lockers and that all activities like dances are grade specific.
“There are no public displays of affection, and no boyfriends and girlfriends in sixth-grade,” he said.
Sixth-grade teacher Sarah Bunten told parents about WEB-Where Everybody Belongs- the program that trains eighth-grade students to be leaders at the orientation meeting and to organize follow up activities with small groups of students that include bowling and ice skating.
“Kids learn best from other kids,” she said. “It reduces discipline issues and bullying.”
An important date for incoming sixth-grade students and parents to remember: Tuesday, Aug. 26 is the sixth-grade orientation for students only.
