Middle School Mixer Planned

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

For students, the transition from elementary school to high school has always had it’s challenges, but this year’s sixth and seventh grade students will face a challenge never before

seen in Webster County. Moving from the only school many of them have ever known into an entirely new school.

But a group of Webster County parents have taken it upon themselves to help make this transition an easier one.

On Friday, December 20, 2013 from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., all area sixth,  seventh and eighth graders are invited to attend the Webster County Middle School Dance at the Annex in Dixon.

“This will be a good chance to get to know their next year’s classmates,” said Amy Martinez, one of the spokespersons for the group organizing the event. “All these kids are going to be thrown together next year regardless if they are going to the high school or the new middle school.  We figure this dance is a nice way for them  to start getting to know each other.  After all ~ we may be a group of several different cities, but we are all Webster County!”

The event promises music, food, fun and the chance to both spend time with old friends, and make new ones.

“Since we are a small county, I feel a large number of the students already know each other through school events such as sports, band, archery and academic team events,” said Dixon Elementary Principal Eric Wheatley. “However, the event will give students who do not take part in those events a chance to gather.”

Following the closing of Slaughters Elementary prior to last school year, other area elementary schools saw an influx of new faces. That transition was handled differently in each school, but in all cases the teachers, administrators and parents tried to make that change as easy as possible.

“I believe we need to have some transition activities like we did for Slaughters students who came to Dixon and Sebree,” Wheatley said. “A majority of the students will adjust quickly to the environment but we will need to provide additional attention to some student’s needs.”

“Since the re-districting, some new-to-Providence Elementary school parents and guardians have been meeting periodically to ensure our seventh and eighth graders have equal opportunities compared to their original school,” said Leah Durbin, another spokespersons for the group. “Providence had their own events, but they didn’t usually do a Prom or a Pantomime. Dixon and Clay students eagerly anticipate those events. In addition to the adjustment of missing their friends, this was another disappointment to our kiddos.”

The group initially looked at doing a Winter Formal for Providence Middle Schoolers, but the idea quickly grew to include all Webster County Middle School students.

“I think this is a great thing,” said Middle School Principal Geoff Bailey. “I’ve got some things planned for this spring, when the building is almost finished. We’re going to do some walk throughs of the school and tech center. Maybe we can even have another dance this spring.”

“For the most part, I believe it would be an easier transition for the sixth and seventh graders going to the middle school (than eighth graders going to the high school) because many of them know one another from athletics and other activities that they are a part of from around the county,” said WCHS Principal Tim Roy. “For middle school students moving to high school, it’s a little tougher because of the age difference and the big difference in norms and expectations at the high school-level.  It’s a totally different experience than what they are used to.  Some do really well with that transition, while others struggle to adapt to the freedoms and expectations.  

“I think having Webster County Middle School right here with us will dramatically improve that transitional experience.”