SURVIVOR CAMP

Why would almost 100 students volunteer to come back to school for a day during summer vacation? This year’s sixth graders, the class of 2015, had an opportunity to attend a survivor camp on Thursday, July 31st. The camp, designed by sixth grade teachers and our graduation coach, gave students a chance to face some of their biggest fears of starting middle school, particularly meeting new friends and knowing what to expect in their classes. Ms. In and Mrs. Oxford welcomed students and gave them an overview of what to expect in middle school and what middle school expects of them. Sixth grade teachers including Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Metka, Mr. Robinson and Mrs. Straw shared a dynamic workshop, “It’s Easier to Keep Up than to Catch Up”, based on their years of experience of how to best manage the middle school workload. Team building games led by Coach Wortman and Ms. Bridges enabled students to see the benefits of communicating with one another to solve problems. Students also had a chance to practice locker combinations by working with their teams. Mrs. Tatum, our cafeteria manager, even treated everyone to a snack featuring a freshly baked cookie. HBMS is particularly proud of the rising 7th graders, Fisher Cooper, Haley McKay, Kayla Johnson, Logan Parham, Brandon Reed, and Patrick Risse, who were kind enough to give up a day by the pool to lead a group, answer students’ questions, and take students on an exciting scavenger hunt around HBMS. While sixth grade teachers, counselors, and administrators were present, it is often most helpful to hear the perspective of a peer who was successful in the middle school transition the previous year. In keeping with Haynes Bridge Middle’s commitment to always “begin with the end in mind” all students in attendance left with a Class of 2015 t-shirt. We have high expectations for our sixth graders and know that by developing strong study habits and organization skills they will soar along with our 7th and 8th grade Eagles.