MIDDLE SCHOOL ORIENTATION — Harding Middle School Principal Bryan Mills addressed fourth-graders from McKinley STEM and Wells academies during the district’s orientation day held Feb. 5. Incoming fifth-graders received a preview of life in a middle school, touring the building and spending time in the classrooms they will be occupying in August. Additional orientation days are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Fourth-graders in the Steubenville City School District received a preview of what life will be like inside a middle school when they attended an orientation day at Harding Middle School.

Harding hosted students from McKinley STEM and Wells Academies on Feb. 5 and welcomed those from East Garfield and Pugliese West elementary schools on Feb. 6.

Students will visit the school once again on Wednesday and Thursday to help ease their transition in August, according to Principal Bryan Mills, who explained the activity has been ongoing for the last six years.

Approximately 190 fourth-grade students attended in small groups to get a glimpse of what it will be like to be a middle schooler.

“They are taught a lesson with a fifth-grade teacher, so it gives them exposure to the building and they become acclimated to the teaching staff they will have next year,” Mills stated. “Our goal has been to take away the fear from coming from a small neighborhood school to an 800-student middle school and they get to experience the atmosphere.”

The younger students spent time in classrooms learning with fifth-graders and the teachers. Mills led the small groups on a tour of the building and then held a brief talk where he outlined the building rules, bus plans, lockers, classes and school opportunities available, including clubs, sports and band.

Mills said he wanted to familiarize the fourth-graders with what will be expected of them once they arrive at Harding.

Students learned how middle school differs from elementary school through having to take four core classes, two electives and having a flex period.

“We want it to be about acclimating themselves and meeting new friends to take the fear out of the transition,” Mills stated. “We do this in conjunction with Making Memories in the Middle in March and Bump Up Day for fourth graders in May. Once they get here, they love it, so we try to give them tiny steps in transition.”

A few of the fourth-graders said they were excited about the opportunity to learn about their future school.

Among them was Raegan Moffat, a Wells Academy student who stated, “I think it’s a really good experience to know what’s going to happen in middle school.”

McKinley STEM Academy student Miranda Sliva added, “I think it’s a really big school and this is really fun.”