Sikeston Middle School hosts event for incoming fifth graders

SIKESTON — Sikeston Middle School students will host a free scavenger hunt for incoming fifth graders as a way for them to see and visit the school before the school year begins in the fall. 

“On Thursday, May 9, we will welcome our incoming fifth graders for next school year with their families,” said Sikeston Middle School Principal Susan Long.

According to Long, the scavenger hunt will begin at 5:30 p.m. and end at 6:30 p.m., and participants will be free to come and go as they please.

Long said the purpose of the event is for students and families to meet other students and staff, allowing everyone to connect even before the new school year begins in August.

“It’s a really exciting time for the elementary students coming in,” Long said. “To come to middle school, you know, it’s the first time since kindergarten that they are all together again as a graduating class.” 

Long said the event also helps the students prepare for their transition to a new building. 

“It helps ease any anxiety so they can have a great summer and not wonder what it’s going to be like or things like that.” Long said. 

According to Long, the Middle School is in its third year of hosting the scavenger hunt/meet-and-greet event for incoming fifth graders, and it is something they enjoy doing.

Long said when the incoming fifth graders arrive, there will be “House Of Champion” tour guides to assist them. 

“Our ‘House Of Champions’ are students here at the Middle School who are leaders of the building,” Long said. “They have submitted applications to be a ‘House Of Champion’ and they have met the qualifications of showing great leadership and being a great mentor. So those students come that evening and are here along with staff and are allowed to be tour guides.

Long continued: “They get to take an incoming student and their family around the school and will have a little scavenger hunt, they’ll give them a card with some of the major areas in the building and will go around the building and try to find those areas. In each area, we will have a staff member that will sign off on their card if they find that area.”

According to Long, the back of the card also includes a space for incoming students to write a brief biographical statement. 

“They can write their likes or interests and what school they are coming from,” she said. “Things like that help us also get to know them a little better.”

Long said incoming students sharing information about themselves helps them prepare for the summer before the start of the next school year. She encouraged families to bring their incoming fifth graders to the scavenger hunt because the event is beneficial.

“It gives them something to look forward to with that transition,” Long said. 

To learn more information about the event, contact the school office at 573-471-0792.