Mariner Middle hosts incoming sixth-graders for school tours

Mariner Middle School hosted fifth-graders from Milton Elementary May 29 and H.O. Brittingham Elementary June 4, giving the guests a chance to take a peek at what will be their own school for the next three years.

The visit days were coordinated by Mariner school counselors Frank Shockley and Jacqui Sheridan. The fifth-graders listened to a presentation about classes and extracurricular and athletic opportunities, and got to meet administrative staff, teachers and more. Students were then divided into 10 groups and took a tour of the school led by Mariner AVID elective students. All Mariner classes school-wide employ the AVID strategies of writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading.

"In giving our incoming sixth-grade students an opportunity to see our school and learn more about what middle school is going to be like, we hope to have reduced anxiety associated with the big transition from elementary," said Sheridan.

"Having the seventh-grade AVID elective students as tour guides was beneficial for the incoming sixth-graders to recognize a few familiar faces in next year's eighth-grade class,” said Heather Kindl, AVID elective educator. “It was also a positive experience for AVID students to showcase their leadership, collaboration and public speaking skills.”