"We did a number of things to help this year’s entering fifth graders," said Scott Rixford, West Paterson schools superintendent. "When those students were still fourth graders at Beatrice Gilmore School, a field trip was held this past June in order to get them better acclimated to Memorial Middle School."

Principal Charles Silverstein held a tour of the building and gave students a review as to what they will expect for the upcoming school year during their field trip, according to Rixford.

"In addition, an evening meeting was held for the parents of the entering fifth grade students," added Rixford. "Mr. Silverstein gave a Powerpoint presentation on items parents can expect during middle school and need to be prepared for."

A fifth grade welcome breakfast will also be held on Saturday, Sept. 20. According to Silverstein, the idea is to give the new students an opportunity to make them feel like they are part of the school.

"It’s meant to give the students, parents and teachers some time to unwind and get to one another," said Silverstein. "So far, the kids have adjusted very well already right from the very first day."

Upon the first day of school, students received their new schedules and handbook, and had an opportunity to meet with their teachers for an abbreviated amount of time, he said. After homeroom time and an assembly, teachers took them on a tour again to further explain things.

"The second day is a full day schedule and I hold all four grade level student meetings in our gymnasium," he added. "Of course, I meet with the fifth graders first and foremost and go through all the school’s rules and regulations. I also give them a pep talk to remind them what they can expect so they are ready. We hold orientations and tours each year for our incoming fifth graders so that they are ready for middle school life."

Incoming third graders over to Beatrice Gilmore School also get prepped.

"We had an orientation towards the end of May for those second graders who were entering the third grade," said Margaret Odoksta, principal. "Those students were bussed here from Charles Olbon to meet their teachers and take a tour of the school. During their first day, we gave them a color coated schedule copy and their homeroom teachers took the extra time to go over what they can expect."

For the Little Falls School District, students also received preparation for their entrance to their next grade levels.

"In June, fourth graders from School #3 were bussed over to our School #1’s middle school," said Dr. Bruce deLyon, superintendent. "Our new middle school principal, Gary Borges along with the teachers, gave them an orientation and showed them around the school to get better acquainted with the building and staff. They were also given a quick review on what to expect and were prepped during their very first day."

Incoming third graders to School #3 were also helped transitionally. While they were still in second grade, those students were bussed over to School #3 in June and given a morning orientation that was led by fourth grade students.

"Our fourth graders practically ran the whole program and gave short presentations on what the incoming third graders can expect. They also took them through a tour of the entire building. Everyone really enjoyed it and it helped the older students become actively involved in helping the new students get to know the school."

Another program implemented by the Little Falls School District entails helping students who are new to the district. In conjunction with the guidance department, an orientation was given for those students and their parents.

"Michael Ryan, our principal for School #2, worked with the guidance department to hold this orientation geared for those who are new to our school district and are incoming to all grade levels," added de Lyon. "This was held in late August and Pat Hungaro, our district guidance counselor, helped coordinate this program. It went very well."

For entering fifth grade students in the Totowa School District, there are no adjustment issues with getting to know a new school building since Washington Park School houses third through eighth grade students, according to John Vanderberg, principal. Instead, students get to know their teachers prior to entering the fifth grade.

"Since students will continue to be housed here while entering their middle school years, we had the fourth graders meet with their upcoming teachers ahead of time," said Vanderberg. "Towards the end of the school year, teachers met with the students to review what they can expect with things like changing class periods, getting lockers and getting to know which teacher they’ll have for each subject."

In addition, second grade students at Memorial School that will be moving up to third grade at Washington Park, received their own preparations as well. In June, teachers came by their school to introduce themselves, he added. The students were also prepped the day before school began.

"We had our new third graders and their parents arrive the day before school began to meet with their teachers," he added. "I met with them first thing in the morning and spoke to the parents about things they can expect. The students and parents were then taken to their homeroom where subject teachers dropped by to introduce themselves. They were then taken on a tour of the school. So far, it’s worked out great and our students seem to be very well adjusted."