As Grade 8 students prepare to start secondary school, educators at Mount Joy PS, John McCrae PS and Bur Oak SS are working together to make the transition smoother academically, socially and emotionally.
Bur Oak SS staff have been visiting local elementary schools to model high school classes, answer questions and help dispel some common myths about secondary school. These connections are designed to build familiarity, confidence and a sense of belonging before students start high school.
At John McCrae PS, Will Stokes, Bur Oak SS Department Head of Music, worked with the Grade 7/8 concert band as they prepared for an upcoming music festival. The visit helped students build familiarity with high school staff and learn more about secondary music programming.
“I recognize a lot of these kids now,” said Stokes. “And I can’t help but think that that’s not only going to motivate them to go to Bur Oak and to take music, but it’s going to make that first day of Grade 9 just a little bit easier.”
“It was a really good experience because we got a little insight of how the music program is going to be in high school,” said Vienca, a Grade 8 student at John McCrae PS.
At Mount Joy PS, Harvinder Brar, a math teacher at Bur Oak SS, modeled a Grade 10 math lesson for Grade 8 students and talked with students about what to expect in high school.
“The biggest thing that I'm noticing from the students in their transition is their worry about making friends,” said Lorne Berger, the students’ Grade 8 teacher. “I think that what Mr. Brar did today in today's lesson was kind of really focusing in on that all of them are coming in with the same kind of worries and the same kind of nervousness around their academics and their social piece, and that through academics, they can develop these social interactions.”
Students say hearing directly from high school teachers helped them feel more confident and comfortable.
“After Mr. Brar introduced us to - there’s this safe space in high school, I feel a lot less anxious,” said Hermione, a Grade 8 student at Mount Joy PS. “It [the math] was pretty easy - similar to what we learn right now, and I don't think I'm scared for math in grade 10, or just all of high school anymore.”
Watch the video to learn more about how early connections are helping students feel confident and supported as they prepare for secondary school.