New 6th Grade Program Facilitates Middle School Transition, Promotes Community Building

October 16th, 2024

The transition from elementary to middle school can be challenging, says Laurie Namey, HCPSS’ Director of Middle Schools.

“In addition to adjusting to the middle school schedule, students have to shift to being in classes with students coming from at least one other elementary school. Add to that the developmental changes that take place in middle school and it can feel like a lot,” she notes.

To help ease the middle school transition, HCPSS hosted “6th Grade Mashup Day” this month. The day-long program provided 6th grade students at every middle school across the county the opportunity to engage in team-building activities, and in the process, get to know other 6th graders at their school.

“Students were challenged to work in teams, meet new people, and learn about the importance of working together to solve problems,” says Lime Kiln Middle School Principal Dr. Andrew Cockley. “Our goal was to help students see the power of helping others and how they can have a positive impact on their entire school.”

Each Mashup Day activity aimed to challenge students in a different way. Some, like the three-legged race, presented physical challenges, while others like the “magic carpet” (where students standing on one side of a tarp had to figure out how to turn the tarp over without anyone stepping off it) required students to put to use their communications and problem-solving skills.

“Having such a range of activities was great, because it gave students with different skills and abilities the opportunity to shine,” says 6th grade team leader Liz Zinger, who helped organize Mashup Day at Murray Hill Middle School (MHMS).

Just as importantly, Mashup Day gave students the opportunity to make new social connections.

“We saw students who had never interacted before come together to solve problems and have a lot of fun,” Zinger says.

The experience was one that MHMS 6th students say they thoroughly enjoyed.

“I loved being able to express myself and learn about 6th graders,” said one student.

“It was great to bond with other students. It made me feel so much more comfortable about being in school with them,” added another MHMS student.