Barking Points: Sixth grade transitions at LRMS

For a moment imagine a bright, colorful, warm summer day. The grass is lively, the sky is clear, and the breeze blows gently at your side.

Now imagine a cold and brittle winter day. The grass is dull and an overcast blanket above covers the world beneath it. Fall and spring are important seasons; they create a bridge between two unlike seasons, easing over the changing environment.

Transitions are an essential part of change; LRMS sixth graders are taking the opportunity near the end of this school year to reflect on the transitions they have undergone since the beginning of their middle school careers.

Major improvements have been made over the past 160 (and counting) days, and this year’s sixth grade class has taken impressive strides to prepare themselves for the next grade.

Being engrossed in a strong learning environment has helped the sixth graders mature not only as students, but also as individuals. The shift can partly be credited to the behavior of the people around them.

Rachel Nygren, LRMS sixth grader, said, “I feel like it’s easier to talk to the

kids this year. They’ve helped me get comfortable with the school.”

As sixth graders advanced from grade school, they learned to become more organized –including the effective use of a locker and a planner.

Eliza Galbreath explained that having a locker is a good way to store and organize her books in between classes. “It is a handy resource,” she said.

The strides that the sixth graders have taken have not gone unnoticed, by the teachers or the students.

Rita Fryberger, LRMS sixth through eighth grade English teacher, said, “They [the sixth graders] responded very well to changing classes and having multiple teachers instead of being in a contained classroom. They are enthusiastic and excited to learn.”

Madison Miller, another sixth grade student, reflected on her progress: “Middle school has helped me improve by being more responsible, and learning things that I didn’t know.”

Fryberger continued, “At the beginning of the year, they showed up wide eyed and scared to death. Now, they are confident and emerging leaders.”

Jason Sanger, ancient history and leadership teacher for the sixth graders, has high expectations for next year’s sixth grade class. He said, “As long as they do everything they’re supposed to do and don’t mess around, they’ll be just fine.”

This year’s “move-up day”, where Ritzville and Lind’s fifth graders begin the transition to LRMS and eighth graders go up to LRHS will be June 10.

Students of all ages, including sixth graders, are making smooth transitions at Lind-Ritzville Middle School!