How do I open my locker? How do I stay organized? How do I meet new friends?
These are just some of the questions elementary school students ask themselves every summer as they are about to make the transition to middle school.
In the past, those students might have had to rely on answers from their parents’ foggy memories or advice from older siblings, but now interested students will have an entire workshop dedicated to answering their questions and easing their anxieties.
The new program, called “6th Grade Survivor,” is the creation of DeMasi Middle School teacher Maureen Heenan, who has taught in the Evesham Township School district for almost 25 years, has a special education degree, a master’s degree and is a certified learning disabilities teaching consultant.
Given her long tenure, Heenan said she has a great deal of experience catering to the needs of students moving from elementary school to middle school, and believes her new program will be a big benefit to the students who enroll.
“It’s a brand new program that addresses a lot of the anxieties that are associated with going from the elementary school to the middle school,” Heenan said. “I try to address the issues most concerning the students. ‘I have five different teachers, are they all going to give tests on the same day?’”
Heenan said the workshops would teach students what they need to succeed in middle school, including how to take notes, study skills, problem solving, asking questions and more.
“A lot of those are the types of skills that start becoming a lot more independent at the middle school level, and a lot of kids are anxious about that,” Heenan said. “We have a lot of wonderful teachers at the middle school level that will help them with that, but we still want to prepare them before they get there.”
The program will start in July, with four separate three-day workshops to choose from at Marlton Middle School or DeMasi Middle School.
For the first week of workshops from July 7–10, or the third week of workshops from July 21–24, students can choose DeMasi Middle School from 9 a.m.–noon, or Marlton Middle School from 1–4 p.m.
For the second week of workshops from July 14–17, or the fourth week of workshops from July 28–31, students can choose Marlton Middle School from 9 a.m.-noon, or DeMasi Middle School from 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Heenan said there’s no due date for students to register by, but the earlier they do so, the better it will be for both them and her. As space is limited, the workshops will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
“The earlier that they can get it in, the more prepared I can be,” Heenan said. “Also, if they want to be with their friends, the earlier they get it in the more likely that will happen. I am trying to keep the workshops somewhat limited in the amount of students.”
Each workshop will cost students $120, and they must provide their own transportation.
Financial need scholarships are available to those experiencing hardship circumstances.
“For anyone that is experiencing any financial setbacks at this time, they can contact their school counselor or principal and they will get in touch with me and I will put them on the list,” Heenan said. “They can also just list their counselor or principal when they send in their registration, and I can get in touch with them very easily.”
Students will also need to bring a shoebox to create a home study activity and a snack to eat.
Registration forms are available on their school website, and those with any questions can contact Heenan at (609) 506–6098 or mfheducation@yahoo.com.
