Hello and Welcome

Hello 4th Graders,

Were we not in remote mode, you'd likely have met me by now, but since we're all working from our homes right now, I thought I'd introduce myself from my front yard...

Now that you've met me, I wanted to take some time to answer your questions over the next couple of days.  These are questions generated by all of you and for now, they'll be answered by me.  If I can get some responses from current 5th graders, I'll post some of those too!  
For today's blog post, I'll focus on your first category:  
If you could ask one question of a Crossett Brook Student, what would it be?

What is the best part of Crossett Brook?  I've worked at CBMS long enough to know how 5th graders answer this question.  They always say the chocolate milk, the lockers, and not having to walk in lines.  But I secretly think they like most everything about CBMS!

What does your schedule look like?  The schedule changes a bit from year to year and with COVID it may change again.  But generally speaking, 5th graders have core classes in the morning, interspersed with chorus or band if you choose to take them, or an XBlock (similar to WIN Block) and lunch and recess.  Specials or Applied Academics are in the afternoon before dismissal.  

How large is the school (I mean the number of students)?  This year we had a total of 307 students which is far fewer than TBPS.  Also, surprise, the building is actually smaller than TBPS and much easier to navigate!

Where is everything?  5th and 6th-grade classrooms are downstairs and 7th and 8th-grade classrooms are upstairs.  The gym is at the far end of the building, and the office and cafetorium are just off the front lobby.  The specials classrooms are mostly upstairs, except for chorus and band.  They meet downstairs.  

Is it hard to get to all of your classes?  Nope!  It's actually fairly simple.  Your teachers will walk you to your classes in the first couple of days, and after that, you'll have it down pat!  Plus the older kids and all staff members are always willing to help if you get turned around.  

Are we going to still have recess?  Yes, you'll have a 5th-grade lunch/recess time, and you'll probably have some team recess time too! We don't have a very big playground, but kids don't use it much anyway.  Kids at CBMS like to play four-square, basketball, soccer, football, Ga-ga ball, and wall ball at recess.  

What is middle school like?  I think it's pretty awesome!  Sometimes it's awkward, 'cause kids do a lot of growing in middle school, but if you are confident and stay true to you, I think you'll find that middle school is a place where you start to really figure yourself out!

I would ask them what team I am on but they wouldn't know that!  We're still working on all of that!  ;)  But we've have been given lots of input from your parents and teachers at TBPS, and both teams are awesome, so you'll be happy where-ever you land!

Did you know the school by the end of 5th grade?  It usually only takes 5th graders about a week to feel totally at ease in the building, and most of the time it's even less than that!

What happens if you get detention?  If a student makes a poor choice and needs to attend "detention," they go to the planning room for lunch and/or recess.  However, most kids never get detention, and this is a new year, so it will also be a new you!  This is your chance to reinvent yourself and make sure that you make positive choices while at CBMS!

What is Crossett Brook like?  It's pretty awesome!  Friendly, caring, and full of cool people!  We like to take care of each other and our environment!

Will we have recess twice?  Some days you will.  You'll always have recess attached to lunch and your team teachers will create a team recess schedule as well, which may be every day or every other day or even some other schedule. 

What does it feel like being in middle school?  I might have to leave this one to the 5th graders, (I've asked a bunch of them to give me answers to these same questions), but I think it feels pretty empowering.  No more lines and being escorted by teachers everywhere.  You'll be given more responsibility and you'll be given a couple opportunities to choose things that you are interested in.  

What are A days and B days?  Basically, they just determine whether you have PE/Health or World Language.  Sometimes teachers will rotate your core classes too, but they'll give you more info on that as you get to school in the fall!

Is the work hard?  No more than it was in 4th grade.  Especially if you apply yourself, pay attention in class, and say current with classwork and homework.  

Can I PLEASE not come here? (I don't want to!)  :(  Sorry you feel that way, but I think you'll find that it's not as scarry as you might think!  I'll be here to support you through it, and so will your teachers, AG leaders, parents, and other staff members.  Just don't be afraid to ask for help!

What was the biggest change when you changed school?  Most kids answer no walking in lines anymore, but I'll pass along responses from 5th graders when I get them!

How are the teachers at the middle school?  I think they are pretty cool!  Mrs. Barrett and Mrs. Dente are the Dream Team teachers, and Mrs. Anderman and Mrs. Michael are the Wizards Team teachers.  They are all very experienced and they make great connections with their students. 

Is homework hard?  Every kiddo experiences work in different ways. If you pay attention in class, use class time well, communicate with your teachers and ask for help when you need it, then homework shouldn't be too much of a problem.  

How hard is it to unlock a locker?  For some kids, it can be tricky, but most kids pick it up in about a day or two.  Teachers will give you lots of time to practice, and if you have a combo lock at home or can pick on up at the grocery store, you can practice over the summer.  The combos will be different, but the premise will be the same:  Clock-wise, find your #, stop.  Counterclockwise, skip your #, find your number #, stop.  Clockwise to your #, open!

How do you remember where all the classes are?  You'll pretty much do the same routine each day, so it becomes pretty easy to remember.  Your teachers will also have your schedule on the board each day as well!

How long are most of your classes?  Most classes are between 40 and 60 minutes.  Specials or AA's are on the shorter end, and cores are sometimes a bit longer.  

Do we get our own lockers? Yes!

What do you think when there is going to be a test?  I will leave this answer to the 5th graders, but I think you'll find it's similar to in primary school.  If you prepare and pay attention and accept help where necessary, you'll be fine when you have an assessment.  

I'll be back tomorrow with more questions and more answers!  (and hopefully some direct answers from 5th graders too!)  

Have a great afternoon!  

Mrs. Hempey