5-6 Transition

It will be hard to believe for many of you but your 5th graders elementary career is coming to an end. The last quarter always holds many emotions for us as we fondly recall how they have grown and bloomed and take great pride as they become Middle Schoolers. At the same time we can’t help but be nervous wondering: Will they do OK? Will they make friends? Are they in the right classes? And now on top of everything the added uncertainty of how we ended this school year. It was just so sudden, separate and anti-climatic. We are still hopeful we will be able to come together at some point and have some ceremonial closure.

Some things are still normal. The students themselves are nervous and excited about what is ahead of them. They began to think about new freedoms, marvel over all the new club and activity opportunities, and even get excited about new lunch options. They’ll also worry about lockers, bigger schools, more teachers, and changing friends.

I absolutely love this time. I love the palpable excitement in the air. I love watching them become young adults right in front of our eyes. I love watching them discover themselves. The last quarter in 5th grade is truly my favorite lessons that I do. Trying to do them over See Saw was just not the same. But I did share a game where they could practice locks (ensuring them that Henley will still help them figure those out!) and we did a tour by way of the Henley web site. And Henley is hoping to still be able to do the actual tour they missed this spring. Fingers crossed!

I encourage you to ask if you have any questions about Henley. At this time Kristy Lancaster is the rising 6th grade counselor, although the structure may change. It is possible that there will be more than one counselor for 6th grade next year. But, for now Ms. Lancaster is still the contact:

Henley 434-823-4393 Kristy Lancaster, klancaster@k12albemarle.org