5th Graders Getting Ready to Make the Move

5th Graders Getting Ready to Make the Move
Posted on 04/11/2022

5th Graders Getting Ready to Make the Move
By: Robin Friedrich

This time of year the 5th grade halls are buzzing with excitement throughout Mexico Public Schools. Some of that is from the nice weather that is slowly making its way in, and some of that is because the conversations about becoming a middle schooler have begun at Eugene Field and Hawthorne Elementary.

The transition from elementary to middle school can cause some nervousness among students. That is why teachers and counselors work together to create experiences that set students up for success. Throughout the year, 5th grade teachers prepare their students for middle school by incorporating planners into their routine, teaching them about passing periods, and even looking at the importance of grades. In April, the transition process begins by having counselors from the middle school come over and talk to the entire 5th grade class about life as a middle school student. After that, all 5th graders will take a field trip to the middle school where they will get a tour of the building from the 6th grade teachers and counselors to see what their day will look like. Their final experience before the big day is 5th grade MMS Parent Orientation and Band Try it Night at MMS. Parents are invited with their future middle school students to come find out how they Make Minds Stronger and try out different instruments if they are interested in band. All of these experiences are designed to set students up for success.

Another experience that sets students up for success is the Drug Awareness with Great Students (DAWGS) class. This is a six week program where our District School Resource Officers(SRO’s) work with all fifth grade students for six weeks. They cover topics including alcohol, tobacco and drug awareness, self-esteem, bullying, peer pressure and social media. This has been a part of the fifth grade class since 2008. Prior to that, the district used the Stride Program, and even taught the DARE program in the 1990s before our district had SRO's. It was swapped over to DAWGS, to make it a more personalized experience for our district.

There are many transitional times in school. No matter what transition it is, students are our main priority. Everyone at Mexico Public Schools work together to create opportunities for 5th graders so they are ready for the next transition in their educational career.