Middle School Transition
On August 18, 2024, from 7:00pm to 8:20pm, a special Middle School Transition Night was held online to help students and parents prepare for the upcoming move to middle school. The virtual event was well-attended, with 27 participants joining remotely from different states and even countries. Hosted by JADE youth board members, high school students Alice Yi and Max Ren, the event offered valuable information and support for those about to start this new chapter in their education.
The event began with a panel of student speakers from different school districts, providing a diverse range of experiences and insights. The panelists included:
- Emma Lu, Minnetonka Middle School West
- Brandon Qiao, Wayzata East Middle School
- Olivia Hu, Chippewa Middle School
- Roger Yang, Minnetonka Middle School West
- Anna Xiong, Wayzata Central Middle School
Each student shared their personal experiences with the transition to middle school, discussing what to expect, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. Their stories helped everyone understand that while middle school might seem intimidating at first, it’s also full of opportunities to grow, make new friends, and explore different interests.
After the panel discussion, the event moved into a Q&A session where attendees could ask questions. This part of the event allowed both students and parents to discuss specific concerns they had about middle school. Questions covered topics like the curriculum, balancing schoolwork with extracurricular activities, and tips for making new friends in a larger school setting.
The event was well-received by those who attended. Many participants said the session was informative and helped ease some of the worries they had about starting middle school. Hearing from current middle school students gave a well-rounded view of what to expect, making everyone feel more confident and prepared.
The online Middle School Transition was a successful event that provided valuable information and support to forthcoming middle school students. By bringing together students, parents, and those with firsthand experience, the event created a welcoming virtual environment where questions were answered, concerns were discussed, and everyone left feeling more ready for the transition to middle school.