Anxiety Shared by New Middle School Students, Parents

Anxiety over attending a new school is not only common among incoming sixth-graders at Takoma Park Middle School, it is also an affliction among their parents.

But Renay Johnson, the school's principal, is emphatic that the upper-class students at her school are "as gentle as can be," even if they might be taller and older.

Parents always ask if their child will mingle with the eighth-grade students, she said. Such concerns are expected because as fifth-graders, their children were the big dogs in elementary school.

"Now they're in middle school, and they're the youngest," Johnson said during a new student orientation at the school on Aug. 26. "So [parents] worry that the eighth-graders will put their child in a locker, and take things from the younger students."

Takoma Park Middle School has three levels, which each grade has to itself. The sixth grade is on the first floor, the seventh on the second and the eighth on the top. The school has three separate lunch periods, so the students eat with their own grade level, as well.

In a direct reflection of the anxiety, both an incoming sixth-grader and the mother of another sixth-grade student expressed nervousness at the event.

Gavon Anthony Walker, a sixth-grade student who transferred to Takoma Park Middle School from Prince George's County, said he was nervous about attending a new school because he does not know anyone there.

"I'm expecting to meet new people, so I'm kind of nervous," he said.

Gavon said he is looking forward to math and reading, even though "it might be a little bit harder than fifth grade. I hope I do well this year."

Zelike Mizrak, the mother of another new student, said she was nervous for her son, Uriah Zekarias.

"I'm excited and nervous at the same time," she said. "Because it's a big school and he's going to be treated as a young adult. I don't know if he's ready for it."

Being ready for middle school is important — and for Johnson that includes arriving to school on time.

Middle school starts earlier than elementary school, at 7:55 a.m. Teachers expect students in their seats and ready to learn when the day begins. Johnson even suggested that students arrive at 7:30 a.m. to ensure they will be on time.

The day also ends earlier than elementary school, at 2:40 p.m., anywhere from 20 to 50 minutes before elementary students' days are over.

Johnson also stressed that students are expected to come to school with the right materials, including notebook paper and pencils.

The school will provide some materials to its students. This year, Takoma Park Middle School students will be able to use netbook [or does he mean notebook?] computers in the classroom, instead of only having computers in a lab.

The middle school has gone through a technology modernization, Johnson said — something all Montgomery County schools go through. The computers are new to Takoma Park this year, as are flat screens and updated software.

Students are going to need the new equipment, especially those in the upper classes, said Andrea Rosenthal, an eighth-grade English teacher. The curriculum has been changed this year "to be a little bit more rigorous, so it should be a bit more challenging for the kids," she said.

Johnson also told worried parents and their children that the school will provide after-school activities, starting the second week of school, when they can stay after school until 4 p.m. Sign ups for the activities is scheduled for Thursday during the school's sixth-grade family picnic. At the picnic — which starts at 6:30 p.m. — hot dogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers will be available. In addition to picnic fare, families can meet other families and sign up for the PTA.

Included among the after-school activities are chess, computer club, yearbook, the science bowl, math team, steppers, a model United Nations club, book clubs and creative writing clubs. One parent even wants to teach students how to manipulate a Chinese dragon, Johnson said.

"It's like the large dragons that are part of Chinese New Year parades, that's different and I'm looking forward to seeing him do that," she said.

In addition, the students can participate in sports, such as soccer, basketball and softball.

"It's really very busy after school. If we can find a teacher to sponsor it, we'll have it," she said.