Oak Park Elementary School District 97 is preparing incoming sixth graders for the new school year and possible back-to-school jitters through its new “District 97 Middle School Connection” program.
Rising sixth graders at both Brooks and Julian Middle School had the opportunity to participate in the three-day-program from Tuesday, Aug. 13 through Thursday, Aug. 15 from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
While participation was not mandatory, the program was highly encouraged.
According to Amanda Siegfried, senior director of communications and engagement for D97, about 79% of incoming students signed up for the program.
The goal is to foster a sense of belonging and community, to provide opportunities for students to develop social-emotional skills and to give students strategies to support their success, while addressing anxieties or concerns they might have.
The program was developed by D97’s Middle School Leadership Team as a response to requests raised by students and families for more support from the district in the transition from elementary school to middle school.
“The transition involves not only a change in buildings, but it also comes at a critical point in students’ developmental growth,” district officials said via email to Wednesday Journal on Aug. 9. “These changes can impact students; academic performance, social experiences and overall sense of self.”
These changes, both academically and developmentally, are significant, district officials said, adding that middle schoolers can report feeing a drop in their sense of belonging during this transition.
According to Luis Fernando De León, assistant superintendent of middle schools, the success of the program will “come down to the experience of the students.”
De León said part of the design was to have students leave feeling welcomed and comfortable navigating their new school and structure.
“We also want them to walk away with at least a couple of new friends and adults in the building that they know by name and can trust,” De León said.
The same applies to middle school teachers because it is also an opportunity for them to connect with new students.
“We believe these connections and knowledge will help students to feel more confident and ready to succeed at Julian or Brooks on day one,” he said.
Students attending will explore their schedules, meet teachers and participate in education activities, including a “Getting-to-Know-You Escape Room” where they will “get to know new friends through fun, problem-solving challenges.”
“We plan to evaluate the program through feedback and surveys to ensure continuous improvement so we can make it even better each year,” district officials said via email to Wednesday Journal on Aug. 9.
Middle School Expectations
In preparation for the new school year, D97’s middle school team worked on aligning behavior expectations between Julian and Brooks middle school.
The School-Wide Behavior Expectations focuses on five key areas:
- Cell phones
- Lockers/backpacks
- IDs
- Hallways and bathrooms
- Lunch and social time
In an email sent to district families in July, district officials highlighted the guidelines and said student, family and staff feedback was “carefully considered” when shaping the expectations. According to district officials, a diverse team of nearly 70 professional educators and staff from both middle schools participated in the development process.
“These guidelines were thoroughly designed to create a respectful, responsible and safe learning environment for all of our middle school students,” district officials said via email. “Our school-wide expectations reflect our commitment to positive, evidence-based practices that support students’ academic, social, emotional, and behavioral success.”
Expectations include turning off cell phones and storing them in lockers during the school day, along with backpacks and non-school issued technology. Students must visibly display IDs while on campus, keep to the right side of the hallways during passing periods, and remain in their assigned areas during lunch and social time.
In the email, the district said they were committed to helping students adjust to expectations throughout the year. The district will be introducing the expectations during their Middle School Connection program for incoming sixth graders, as well as during their middle school welcome nights.
Julian Middle School will host its welcome night from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 15
Brooks Middle School will be hosting an information night for sixth graders and all new students from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 14, and from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 15 for seventh and eighth graders.