As spring kicks into high gear, so do preparations for the transition of students from one grade to the next. Of these transitions, few seem any bigger than the transition from 5th to 6th grade. Making the change from an elementary school to a middle school can seem overwhelming for both students and their parents. However, with some preparations, the difficulties in this transition can be kept to a minimum. The fifth grade students will have an opportunity to see the school and meet their homeroom teacher before leaving for the summer through the "step-up" day. This will occur on June 18th. For students who may need to feel more familiar with the school before entering, there are opportunities to come to the school during the summer months. It is recommended that you call the MSK office at 467-8004 before coming, as the hours that the school is open during the summer is not as consistent as during the school year. It can also be helpful for parents to begin talking with their students about the changes, including helping them to improve organizational skills to aid in the transition from class to class and ways to keep track of various homework assignments. For some students, the idea of a locker can be overwhelming, so talking about ways to keep their class materials organized in the locker to assist in transitions can be helpful. Using a combination lock can also take time and practice for students to learn. While students are not required to use a lock, it is recommended that the student and their family discuss this and make a decision that is right for the student. While some students may feel overwhelmed by the "big" middle school, the 6th graders generally attend most of their classes in the 6th grade wing, making the school a much "smaller" place for those students.

The fear of being bullied, especially by older students, can also cause great levels of stress among incoming 6th graders. However, MSK has taken great strides to reduce bullying and harassment through a comprehensive bullying prevention program. If your child should be the victim of these behaviors, please encourage your child to talk to a teacher, counselor, or administrator about this. If your child does not want to, please know that parents can also speak to any of these staff members about these issues as well. We want all students to feel that MSK is a safe environment where they can focus on learning.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding you child's transition to MSK, please feel free to contact any one of the counselors here.