Does the learning stop once the summer begins? Not for Urbana School District #116 (USD #116) students, as last week marked the beginning of the Summer Transition Education Program for future sixth and ninth graders in Urbana.
Nearly 100 students have been gathering since last week to prepare for their next USD #116 journey. On July 10, several sixth graders met at Urbana Middle School (UMS) to prepare for their upcoming journey as UMS students, and future ninth graders began their program July 11 before they kick off their journey as Urbana High School freshmen. Though the two groups of transitioning students will face different journeys this upcoming August, they are all meeting this month to prepare for the road ahead.
For the future sixth graders, the transition program is aimed to help them build a sense of belonging and community. From now until the end of the month, the students will participate in activities that will help them develop leadership skills, identify unique challenges most sixth graders face, and establish positive relationships with UMS teachers and staff members. For these students, it will be the first time they experience switching between several classes and teachers with different classroom expectations. The program will help these students master this and give them a sense of confidence in their abilities as first-time middle schoolers.
“The fifth to sixth grade Summer Transition Education Program is a high energy, fantastic place for students of all kinds,” said USD #116 Dual Language Teacher Lola Pittenger. “We are seeing rising leaders and the beautiful children of our community engaged in collaborative and fun activities!”
As the transitioning ninth graders move from UMS to UHS, they will also face unique obstacles that will likely affect their sense of belonging, and levels of confidence and independency. The summer program will help the students learn how to set and achieve both academic and social goals, become more aware of the needs of their peers and community, develop critical thinking skills, and gain an understanding of the importance of taking responsibility for their actions. All these skills will not only help them succeed as high school students but help them easily transition into their lives as young adults.
Both groups of transitioning students will be involved in an action-filled schedule for the next few weeks, led and moderated by USD #116 teachers who are being paid from the State of Illinois’ Healthy Communities Grant provide these students with tools for success. Most of the volunteers are the same staff members the students will often see during their first year as new middle school and high school students.
“We expect to see many relationships built between our staff and students this summer,” said USD #116 Director of Grant Based Programs Linda Gibbens. “We think our students will feel more comfortable and know what to expect when they enter the school next fall. We will try to stay connected to determine whether the program makes a different in those who have attended.”
The program’s schedule consists of meeting with staff members to discuss mastering an academic workload, learning how to be independent students, relying on faculty for social support, and creating positive relationships with classmates. These sessions will take place both inside and outside of the classroom with additional support from community organizations like Urbana Park District and Parkland College. Unlike their usual 8-hour schedules during the school year, these sessions focus on social emotional learning and community service.
Students involved in the sixth-grade transition program signed up at the end of the year to attend the program, while those transitioning into ninth grade were recommended by UMS teachers and principals who wanted to see the students’ academic and social skills improve as they transition to UHS. Though program attendance is currently limited, the staff hopes to see it grow so that more students can get the attention they need as they transition into new grades.
“Everyone is having a blast and getting to know one another, and personalities are starting to shine brighter during this program,” said Pittenger. “Each day we see rising leaders and determined peace makers stepping forward. It has been a righteous week!”
By the end of the program, staff hopes that the program will grow into a community staple that helps students realize the importance of forming and strengthening positive relationships with USD #116 staff and Urbana community members who are invested in their academic and social success. As of now, The District will continue to make use of its amazing staff and community support to improve the academic and social experience of every Urbana student.