News release from the Fort Wayne Community Schools:
Students entering elementary, middle and high school get a jump on the new year
Fort Wayne Community Schools will welcome students entering kindergarten as well as new middle and high school students to their new buildings next week.
Sixth-graders entering middle school will participate in a Sixth-Grade Transition Day from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Aug. 16. The same day, ninth-graders entering high school will get a taste of high school life during Ninth-Grade Transition Day at their schools from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The orientation day gives students at these two transitional grade levels the chance to learn the rules of the new school, find their lockers, walk through their schedule and practice other school routines, such as navigating the lunch line. Addressing some of the technical parts of changing schools should ease some of the anxieties students may feel on their first day. With those issues out of the way, students can focus more directly on academics from the first day.
The orientations also give students a chance to meet teachers and administrators in a different setting than a regular class day, which provides an opportunity to start building a relationship. Students will meet the people who will lead and support them over the next few years. Having a strong support system is an important part of having a successful academic career.
At the middle schools, sixth-graders will also get a jump-start on experiencing math and language arts classes in middle school, and their parents will have time to meet with school counselors to learn about their role as a middle school parent and what support is available at each school.
Kindergarten students and their parents will have a chance to visit their classrooms and spend time with their new teachers on Wednesday, Aug. 17. The visit gives students an early opportunity to get acquainted with their new surroundings as they transition into full day kindergarten. Parents and students will be reminded of procedures, including lunch and taking the bus.
FWCS welcomes all students back for the 2011-12 school year on Monday, Aug. 22.
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