Music was blaring, people were loud and cheering, and the 6th graders were walking through the assembled 7th and 8th graders with mixed reactions on their faces.  A few 6th graders looked uncomfortable, nervous, or scared.  Some appeared excited and hyped.  Other 6th graders were confused, and they weren’t alone.

The 7th and 8th graders were only told about this Welcome-to-Middle-School event the previous day. The 7th graders crowded the auditorium floor, and the 8th graders filed in a line leading out of the Oglesby room to the science hallway where most of the 6th-grade homerooms were told to wait. As soon as the 6th graders saw the crowd of people cheering for them loudly, 7th and 8th graders could see that not all of the 6th graders were thrilled.

6th grader Laleh Ali-Khan notes that while the event was loud and enjoyable for some, others found it overwhelming. “Some thought it was a bit too loud, while others enjoyed it,” she says. Acknowledging the mixed reactions, Laleh suggests a different approach for next year. “Maybe each 7th or 8th grader could write a note to a 6th grader. That would actually be a lot better,” she said. 

When Henry Konn, a new 6th grader, walked down the art hallway, he felt “extremely surprised and confused.” He had expected a typical morning meeting in the auditorium, but instead, he was greeted by a whirlwind of 7th and 8th graders waving colorful pom poms in his face. Initially intimidated by the chaotic welcome, Konn soon saw its potential, and he looks forward to welcoming new 6th graders in the same way next year. “It might actually be great for us to do this next year,” he says. “If we give them a heads-up, it might ease their fears and make it fun.” 

8th grader Ethan Wadley agrees with Konn. “I didn’t really think about it a lot at first,” he says. “I thought, ‘That’ll be a good activity for the 6th graders to be included.’” Wadley acknowledges that, while the event could be helpful for 6th graders adjusting to the Middle School, he wasn’t entirely convinced it was necessary. “It can be beneficial, but I don’t think it’s essential.”

7th grader Clara Hartman worries that many 6th graders might not appreciate the loud and chaotic welcome. “If I were a 6th grader, I wouldn’t want that kind of attention because it puts a spotlight on new kids who are already feeling nervous about their first few days of middle school,” she says. “It’s important to make them feel comfortable rather than adding to their anxiety.” 

Middle School Bible teacher and Director of Student Life Reverend Tina McCormick said that the school can take many steps to make people feel like they belong, but she wanted an event that would include the entire Middle School. She was trying to find a way for the entire Middle School to impact the new students’ lives at school. McCormick says fostering belonging is her job description. “When I became Director of Student Life, it was told to me you’re creating programs so that people will feel like they belong,” she says.

Despite encountering a few unexpected challenges along the way, McCormick says the overall effort and hard work invested, proved to be truly worthwhile. “At the end of the day, it was truly to make people feel like they belonged.”