Neshaminy is Mixing Grades in the Same School!

From the BCCT. Apparently it's not just 2nd graders who are afraid of the big "boogey man" upperclassmen. Eighth graders are feeling the pain too.

Neshaminy looks toward smooth transition
By: RACHEL CANELLI
The Intelligencer

Officials are trying to assure eighth-graders that there will be enough room for everyone when they move up to high school next year.

When the renovated Neshaminy High School opens its doors for another school year in 2009, its structure won't be the only thing that's more than half new.

Since the ninth grade will start being housed at the high school next year, more than 1,400 students-or more than half of the Middletown school's enrollment - will be new to the building, officials said.

So, to make sure that the transition is as smooth as possible, district administrators recently held a symposium to take the middle school pupils on a tour of the building and to address their concerns.

Among the top worries were continuing the middle school traditions of a freshman dance and field trip, including ninth-graders in sports and music programs, getting lost and crowded hallways.

"I'm worried about the schedule," said 13-year-old Omari Allen, an eighth-grader at Maple Point. "But they're helping clear some things up. I feel better already."

More than 30 kids, including junior and senior student government members from the high school and current eighth- and ninth-grade representatives from Maple Point, Poquessing and Sandburg Middle Schools, participated in the conference.

"We're trying to make sure that we answer their questions to the best of our ability and get the kids ready," said acting Superintendent Lou Muenker. "We don't have any closure yet on their concerns, but we'll try to make sure that we're not missing anything problematic for the kids to minimize worry."

Next year, Neshaminy's schools will be aligned as follows: kindergarten through fifth grade in the elementary schools; sixth through eighth at the middle schools; and ninth through 12th at the high school, administrators said.

Bensalem, Centennial, Council Rock, New Hope-Solebury, Palisades, Pennridge, Pennsbury and Quakertown school districts already have similar alignments in place. Bristol Township and Central Bucks school districts operate the way Neshaminy does now, with high schools comprising grades nine through 12, while most of Bristol and Morrisville's middle levels are also included in their high schools, officials said.

Neshaminy administrators are also trying to assure the teens that there will be enough room for everyone and construction will be done in time.

"There's nothing to be scared of," said John Sutton, 17 and president of the high school student body. "The first couple of weeks will be hectic, but everything will all work out. I'm trying to get them excited to make the most of it."

Administrators will be hosting more informational meetings for parents in February, Muenker said.

"When kids are involved in the decision-making process, you've got a better chance of success," he said. "I hope they'll go back to their buildings, share the info, solicit additional questions and breathe a sigh of relief."

Either way, their classmates will be there to help.

"We want it to be a good year for the ninth-graders," said 14-year-old Brittany Middleman, who'll be in 10th grade next year. "So, we'll be watching out for them."