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Calming their fears of middle school

By Susan Robertson | The Virginia Gazette

August 6, 2008

WILLIAMSBURG - The transition from elementary to middle school can be tough, especially given so many myths.

“It’s not like on TV,” said Archie Jefferson, behavior specialist and middle school transition program teacher. “There’s nobody being shoved in lockers. There aren’t a lot of bullies, and there’s nobody stealing your lunch money.”

He spent a good deal of time Tuesday morning at James Blair with rising students to all three middle schools discussing their fears. The tweens were apprehensive about everything from mean teachers to the threat of gangs.

The exercise was part of the Middle School Transition Program, new this year as a recommendation of the Alt-ed Task Force. Elementary teachers selected students they felt would benefit from a smaller, more intense orientation instead of the large version in September.

Around 30 students arrived at the three- day program, which will finish up Thursday morning. They’ll tour the schools and do a scavenger hunt that includes naming the principal and finding the nurse’s office.

“We’re trying to give them a crash course in character education and help them develop some habits that will help them be successful,” Jefferson said.

Communication, time management, self-discipline, relationships and conflict resolution are all covered. The idea is for the students to set academic, behavior and attendance goals for themselves.

They’ll also learn to harness their emotions so that they aren’t as easily overwhelmed or reactive to stress. They’re even doing some dancing to shake out the extra energy before getting back on task.

Anthony Mungin, principal of the Academy of Life & Learning who is heading up the transition program, said going to each school provides an opportunity for kids to tour the schools and sufficient time to cover the material.

He was pleased Tuesday about the first day, but remained cautious. “The true test will be when a student comes back on the third day after they’ve already seen their school,” he said. “Then we’ll know it’s working.”

Jefferson said they’ll start the transition program for rising ninth-graders at the high schools on Monday. It will include topics like fighting and bullying, sexual harassment, GPA, credits and types of diplomas.

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