Fifth and sixth graders practice opening their combination locks at the Westfield Intermediate School transition program Tuesday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – On the second day of the “Moving up to Westfield Intermediate School” – Transition Program Tuesday, students were practicing opening locks for their lockers. Incoming fifth and sixth graders were seated together at tables working out the combinations, while eighth grader Allie Masciadrelli who is volunteering her time along with classmate Shae McDonald went around helping anyone who was having difficulty.
34 students signed up for the first session of the four-day transition program, which is intended to help the incoming fifth and sixth graders to orient them to their new school and new building.
“They came in nervous yesterday,” said sixth grade teacher Matthew Wroth, who is running the program with his colleague Maureen Callahan. Wroth said they took a survey at the end of the day on Monday, and students said they felt “great, excited, can’t wait to get into more of the school.” He said they were especially excited about finding their rooms.
Following practicing opening their locks, the students went to find their lockers. After that, a scavenger hunt designed to help students get to know their new school was planned. Then, student “ambassador” Masciadrelli was going to talk to them about going to the school, and answer questions.
“It’s a packed day,” Wroth said about the program, which runs 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. through Thursday. He said students also have the opportunity to meet future classmates, along with the custodians, secretaries, vice principals and WIS Principal Katherine Bourque who they will be seeing every day once school starts.
“It’s great. The kids are loving it,” Callahan said, admitting they were nervous when they first arrived. “Just walking around the building is helpful, to give them a point of reference.” A student then came up to her, saying, “I can’t wait to go to the lockers now!”
Due to the interest, another session of the transition program, which cost $55 for materials, supplies and snacks, is being planned for Monday to Thursday, August 20 to 23, also from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required, but there is still space available. To register, Contact the school or Matt Wroth at [email protected] for more information.
