Goodbye Elementary, Hello Middle School!
aying goodbye is always hard. For Greensburg Salem’ s 5th grade
Sstudents, leaving elementary school behind is a bittersweet transition. Fifth graders are the rulers of the school, the“ big kids,” the ones who set the example for the younger grades. Moving up to middle school is a thrilling, yet daunting, step, eased by memorable events to celebrate the end of an elementary era and prepare for a middle school mindset.
While Hutchinson, Metzgar, and Nicely elementary schools each have their own 5th grade year traditions, all three schools set their students up for success to familiarize them with the middle school and meet one another before the start of sixth grade. Greensburg Salem Middle School administrators and guidance counselors visit each elementary to answer students’ questions, and 5th graders take a tour of the middle school with student council representatives. All three schools bring students together for Field Day at Offutt Field, an all-day, action-packed field trip to give them a chance to meet one another and build new friendships in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. On August 23rd from 6:30-8:00 p. m., students and their families will attend 6th Grade Orientation, during which students will receive their schedules, test their locker combinations, and meet their new teachers.
Chloe Nelson is excited to head to 6th grade.“ The middle school has more people and is way bigger than Nicely. I am looking forward to having more classes and being independent!” she stated. The one thing Chloe( and MOST other new 6th graders!) will miss most about elementary school? Recess!
Field Day 2018 Photos by Jeremy Menz reensburg Salem GREENSBURG SALEM SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Nicely Elementary Student Conquers Storyworks Contest
cholastic’ s Storyworks literary magazines line the shelves of
Selementary classrooms across the district, drawing readers in with captivating content and intriguing illustrations to excite children about reading and writing. Each Storyworks issue features fiction, nonfiction, poetry and a play, along with writing prompts and contests to further engage students in developing their language arts skills.
Nicely Elementary student Taylor Dale, a graduate of Mrs. Burnfield’ s fifth grade class, accepted a contest challenge after reading“ The Great Halifax Explosion” in the February edition of Storyworks. Taylor was tasked with writing an interview with a main character to describe the impact of the devastating sea disaster of 1917.
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Field Day 2018 • Photo by Debbie Stillwagon
Lauren Tarshis, Editorial Director of Storyworks, wrote to Taylor to congratulate her for winning.“ We loved your creative and effective interview with Noble explaining what happened in Halifax and how it affected people,” wrote Ms. Tarshis.
Taylor was surprised to hear she was one of ten winners nationwide.“ I was happy when I found out I won, but it was awkward because everyone in my class watched me open up my package with the letter and my prize,” she stated. Taylor’ s award was the book“ Blizzard of Glass” by Sally M. Walker. She’ s making progress on reading her prize and hopes to finish it before school starts.
Congratulations, Taylor!
Taylor shows off her Storyworks contest prize!