Stuck in the Middle

I often felt sorry for the grade seven students at school.  A grade shy of being the all wonderful, attention getting Gr 8s and too old for the Gr 6s.  

When you think about how elementary school is set up, it's kind of relegated to "teams".  The JK/SKs.  The Primarys.  The Juniors.  And then, there are the Seniors.  And yet, in Gr 7, you kind of get the impression that the focus of "seniors" is really on the Grade 8s with their Muskoka trip, Confirmation, leadership opportunities in the school and GRADUATION.  

MIDDLE SCHOOL aka SOLUTION

Being a product of the K-6 model myself, I understood that the seniors probably felt like they were walking around in shoes that had grown too small, too confining and with no room to breathe.  Afterall, many had walked these hall for 8 years by Gr 6.  

CCMS mascot is a cardinal

In September 2014, Corpus Christi Middle School opened on the FJ Brennan campus and gathered the students in Grades 7 & 8 from feeder schools, resulting in three JK-Gr 6 schools.  Students at St Bernard were given the option to remain for one more year before the school would officially become JK-Gr 6 (Sept 2015).  Thirty-five seniors chose to stay (only 11 from Gr 7). 

Grade 6 Day

Grade 6 Day celebrated at CCMS with an Olympic theme...girl at the podium is former St Bernard student!

This past Friday, grade six students from St Bernard, St Jules and St Rose were invited to CCMS for Grade 6 Day which gives the kids the opportunity to tour the school as they move to various events, experience lunch in the cafeteria, meet their future classmates and see first hand what perks Middle School has to offer.

Because, let's be honest!  Are the kids here for the education or the experiences?  If your school is made up solely of students that are Gr 7 & 8, there's gonna be advantages to that (read AGE APPROPRIATE).  It's a feat to please all the demographics in a building made up of children aged 3-14.

Just some of CCMS' future grade sevens enjoying lunch in the cafeteria

It was great to see former St Bernard students continue in leadership roles and hone their skills in technology, dance and band to name a few.  With no recesses and no outdoor playground, CCMS offers clubs during the lunch hour.  The variety suits the range of tastes of all its students.  

Imagine having your club everyday ... guaranteed!  The skill level rises exponentially.

Former Panther, Emily (Gr 8 but first year at CCMS) shares vocal skills while concert band listens

Former Panther, Anthony (Gr 8- 2nd year at CCMS) plays drums in Rock /Concert Band 

Former Panthers, Sierra, Angelina, Mikayla and Lana continue their love of dance on CCMS' competitive dance team

Having attended Grade 6 Day since its inception in Spring 2014, I'd say this was CCMS' defining year.  Each student truly feels that "I am CCMS".  They have bought into the Middle School model and seem to appreciate the opportunities for growth and allowance to be themselves that it affords them.  

To witness how students have matured in the past two years out of St Bernard is a testament to middle school allowing the Seniors to become unstuck and blossom.

~MissBrooks