Over 400 Sixth Graders ‘Bridge The Gap’ To Middle School

By Tanjua Damon

It’s probably the last time incoming sixth graders will be grouped together by what elementary school they attended as they “bridge the gap” and officially become middle schoolers.

The steady stream of people coming to the ball fields at the Newtown Middle School Thursday night looked like a scene from The Field of Dreams. They had come, however, not for baseball but for the annual Bridging the Gap program. Over 1,300 family members of the 400-plus children entering the sixth grade this year attended the event. This year’s sixth grade is the largest to date.

It was a positive evening and a fun time, according to Assistant Principal Tony Salvatore.

“There was just a sea of people,” he said. “People were making very positive comments.”

The event started in the late 80s with the support of a grant from the Department of Education, Mr Salvatore said. The idea was to bring kids and their families together to prevent drug abuse and other negative behaviors through an event that would support students and foster positive communication between the middle school community and the Newtown community.

“Bridging the Gap is one piece of the orientation program,” he said. “They reacquaint themselves with old elementary school friends, and we mix them with clusters. We’re just delighted with the whole event, especially with the people who helped make it happen.”

Paige Price is not only beginning middle school this year, but she is also new to Newtown. She is excited about being in middle school and so far is enjoying her experiences.

“My biggest challenge will be math. It’s probably going to be difficult,” Paige said. She also mentioned the challenges of getting back into the routine of being at school and making new friends.

“I love lockers and changing classes,” Paige added with delight.

Paige’s mother, Patty, and father, Steve, thought the event was a good idea. The family moved here recently from Alabama.

“We have a lot of family oriented things, but not like this,” she said.

Steve thought the program was a great way to bring the community together.

Amy Kelley, who was full of energy Thursday evening, likes the Bridging the Gap program and thinks it will be a fun year in middle school.

“It’s kind of hard because you’re in a new school.” She said. “But I’ve been to these before. I think it’s really cool. It’s a great way for people from different clusters to meet each other.”

Reuniting with teachers and friends from elementary school and starting new beginnings with other people is another highlight to the evening for Chelsea Jayson.

“You get to meet new people,” she said. “It’s really fun because you can see all your teachers from last year and see friends who aren’t in your cluster.”