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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. |