Middle School Visits Promote Early Involvement

Representatives from a variety of courses and extra-curricular groups joined counselors to visit Stanley Middle School on January 28 and Joaquin Moraga Middle School on February 1 in an effort to help 8th graders transition to their freshman year.

“The counselors and administrators go to the middle schools mainly to make sure the students have an overview of the whole process, and an overview of Campolindo, like what to expect in terms of choosing their classes,” said Counselor Duane Magno.

Allowing current high schoolers to accompany the counselors and help promote electives has been part of the process for the last 5 years. “It’s not just the counselors talking about electives. They get an actual feel for the breadth of programs that we have here and also the student perspective on the pros and cons of different classes,” said Magno of the 8th grade audience members at each presentation.

Encouraging an immediate immersion in the high school culture was part of the message. “I think its critical that the incoming 9th graders know that we want them to get involved right away. To get involved in clubs, performing arts groups, athletics, leadership, that there is a place for them to get plugged in right away,” explained Principal John Walker.

Administrators and counselors are looking for the best way to convey this message. It’s possible that in the next few years various classes and organizations may submit films than speak to the middle schoolers directly.

For some of this year’s presenters, the events also provided a return to their old stomping grounds. “Often times, the students we take with us come from either Stanley or JM and I think that the students at the middle schools  like to see their peers, giving their own sort of flavor of the experience,” said Magno.

This year, an especially positive reaction from the 8th graders came after a creative and engaging skit preformed by the drama students. “I’m always impressed with drama. They did a skit at JM and Stanley and it was a nice way to demonstrate what the class is like and the skills you build in the class,” said Walker.