HMS holding sixth grade academy August 5

HALEYVILLE    -  The transition of students from  elementary to middle school is known to be one of the toughest changes a student can make in his or her educational life.
That is why a new academy has been set up at Haleyville Middle School on Monday, Aug. 5, to coincide with the school’s annual open house.
Although the open house is for grades 6-8, the new academy is specially designed for 6th graders and their families beginning at 5 p.m. that day, explaining a lot of the changes  students should expect coming from elementary to the middle school level.
“There are a lot of things that go through their minds. As older, experienced educators, we might not think  through some of their anxieties,” admitted Haleyville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Holly Sutherland.
Sutherland said that school officials are taking lessons learned from some of the issues sixth graders have experienced in the past as they design the new academy.
“What we try to do is look at some of those social anxieties they have had in the past, look at transition pieces that have not been as comfortable for them, or that they have struggled with,” Sutherland pointed out.
“With that grade level, there is always a lot of anxiety,” Sutherland continued.  “They are going to a new school, and, although it is just across the street, there’s still anxiety.
“They were the oldest kids and now they are the youngest.  Now, they’re joining an older peer group.  They are anxious about lockers,”  Sutherland mentioned as some of the examples of stressors sixth graders feel.
Although all of these issues work themselves out and teachers do their jobs helping these newcomers feel at home in their new environment, that anxiety still exists, Sutherland further explained.
“The main transition piece with this is so they are comfortable. They know what to expect,” Sutherland added.
Sixth grade also marks the first time students are making the transition to seven classes.
“This is the first they are making the transition to every period of the day,” Sutherland noted. “It is also the first time for them to sit where they want to at lunch. They are also mingled for physical education and band.”
Although these needs have been addressed more individually, the time has come to address the changes in a group setting, educators said.
“It very much focuses on what we have seen to be their need,” Sutherland said.
During middle school open house, students in grades 7 and 8 can attend anytime from 5-7 p.m. to receive their lockers and schedules, but those entering the 6th grade and their parents are urged to be on campus at 5 p.m. for the special academy, emphasized Middle School Principal Bo Wilcoxson.