NewsAcademicsMiddle GradesMiddle School
Eighth-graders get a taste of Upper School
May 15, 2007 10:23 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Eighth-graders got a taste of the Upper School during Darlington’s first-ever Eighth Grade Transition Day, which was held May 9. This all-day event exposed eighth-graders to many aspects of life as a freshman, including advisee meetings, coach classes, academic classes, the weekly chapel service, and a campus tour.
“The transition from eighth to ninth grade is so important because students are moving from a sheltered environment to an environment in which they have more freedoms and choices,” said Lisa Goldin, Middle School learning specialist. “Middle School students all take the same courses and have the same teachers. At the Upper School, they begin to choose their educational paths. For example, they can take French instead of Spanish or environmental science instead of physics. For many students, they are developing as abstract thinkers and defining their interest that will shape who they become.”
After chapel, eighth-graders and their parents were invited to lunch in the Huffman Center, where they heard from the following Upper School faculty members on topics that will be of importance as they begin their high school careers – James Milford (First-Year Experience Program), Greg Griffeth (Wellness Program), Sally Rudert (Academics), Libbie Zimmer (Learning Center) and Sam Moss (College Guidance). In addition, a student panel talked about campus life, addressing specific areas of interest – Jack Yancey (Freshman Experience), Claire Davis (Honor Council), Shawn Powell (Study Skills), Quincy Price (Clubs and Activities), Caitlin Murray and Norman Bonnyman (Peer Education). A question and answer session followed.
“This transition day is really the initial phase of the First-Year Experience,” said Goldin. “We hope to bridge the gap between eighth and ninth grade in a positive way so that students are aware of teacher expectations before they enter an Upper School classroom for the first time. The more our eighth-graders see and experience now will mean less anxiety in August when school starts.”
Overall, Darlington’s eighth-graders agreed that Transition Day was beneficial, according to Melissa Robinson, counselor. “They enjoyed shadowing a ninth-grader and thought it was helpful to go on a tour prior to their first day of school,” she said. “They also enjoyed hearing from Upper School students about their experiences and learning what worked best for them.”
Goldin added that she has received positive feedback from parents as well as students. “Most felt that Transition Day helped answer questions that they had,” she said. “The student panel relieved some fears, and the eighth-graders liked hearing about all the programs and activities they could get involved with next year. I think the questions at orientation will be sparked from conversations students and parents have had due to Transition Day.”
“The transition from eighth to ninth grade is so important because students are moving from a sheltered environment to an environment in which they have more freedoms and choices,” said Lisa Goldin, Middle School learning specialist. “Middle School students all take the same courses and have the same teachers. At the Upper School, they begin to choose their educational paths. For example, they can take French instead of Spanish or environmental science instead of physics. For many students, they are developing as abstract thinkers and defining their interest that will shape who they become.”
After chapel, eighth-graders and their parents were invited to lunch in the Huffman Center, where they heard from the following Upper School faculty members on topics that will be of importance as they begin their high school careers – James Milford (First-Year Experience Program), Greg Griffeth (Wellness Program), Sally Rudert (Academics), Libbie Zimmer (Learning Center) and Sam Moss (College Guidance). In addition, a student panel talked about campus life, addressing specific areas of interest – Jack Yancey (Freshman Experience), Claire Davis (Honor Council), Shawn Powell (Study Skills), Quincy Price (Clubs and Activities), Caitlin Murray and Norman Bonnyman (Peer Education). A question and answer session followed.
“This transition day is really the initial phase of the First-Year Experience,” said Goldin. “We hope to bridge the gap between eighth and ninth grade in a positive way so that students are aware of teacher expectations before they enter an Upper School classroom for the first time. The more our eighth-graders see and experience now will mean less anxiety in August when school starts.”
Overall, Darlington’s eighth-graders agreed that Transition Day was beneficial, according to Melissa Robinson, counselor. “They enjoyed shadowing a ninth-grader and thought it was helpful to go on a tour prior to their first day of school,” she said. “They also enjoyed hearing from Upper School students about their experiences and learning what worked best for them.”
Goldin added that she has received positive feedback from parents as well as students. “Most felt that Transition Day helped answer questions that they had,” she said. “The student panel relieved some fears, and the eighth-graders liked hearing about all the programs and activities they could get involved with next year. I think the questions at orientation will be sparked from conversations students and parents have had due to Transition Day.”
