Anne Mattina

Print in "Landscape" mode

Revolutionary Program "Ignite" sparks interest,

Connects Middle School students

by Anne Mattina

August 24, 2007 — Hopkinton’s class of 2014 is about to make a big leap into the future as they enter middle school very soon, and they are being welcomed in a very unique way. For the first time, incoming 6^th grade students will participate in an orientation program hosted by 8^th graders.

August 30^th marks the launch date of “IGNITE” a fun, day-long interactive program designed to promote teamwork and respect amongst the new middle-schoolers. Led by volunteer mentors from the 8^th grade, the students will participate in games and exercises developed and run by the older kids. The objective for the day is nothing short of changing the middle school’s culture where the divisions between grades may feel like a chasm to many kids. By connecting the 8^th graders to the 6^th, the goal is to create a more cohesive and positive environment for all.

The day’s activities also includes parents of the new 6^th grader, who will be attend a separate session run by Mr. Keith Verra of school’s guidance office. Anticipating their interest as their children make the transition, Mr. Verra’s program will show parents ways to be involved in the life of the Middle School and how to help kids at home. The program will run simultaneously with the students’ program, and though it is not mandatory, all parents are encouraged to attend. At the end of the morning sessions, students and parents will come together at 11:30 for a joint interactive meeting. Lunch is scheduled to begin at 12:30 and will be served by the 8^th grade mentors. The program ends at 2:00pm.

Soon-to-be 6^th grader Alison Welch and her mom, Margo, are excited about the program. Mrs. Welch hopes the kids get a chance to get to see where their homerooms and lockers are and the parents get some insight into the new school. Mary Kate Cavanaugh, also entering grade 6, is really looking forward to starting school and thinks IGNITE is a “good idea, because the 8^th graders know their way around and can be a big help to the 6^th graders.” Mary Kate also hopes for a walk – through of the school so she and her classmates can find out where things are. When asked what she hopes to get from the orientation, she replied “tips on how to make it through.”

Mark Senecal is grateful to the 8^th graders for helping him and his incoming class, and hopes to gain “a lot of information about the school and the work.”

Though Andrew Taggart and Colin O’Rouke don’t want summer to end, they think the orientation is a good idea. Andrew hopes to get some information about “how things work” in the middle school.

Kyle Clark hopes the 8^th grade mentors will give the 6^th graders some tips on “how to act with teachers and what to expect from them.” Friends Katherine Taggart, Jenna Yaggy, Elle Girardi, Morgan Hanlon are looking for ways of dealing with the novelty of being with all the older kids at the Middle School. Katherine said, “Its like going to New York city for the first time.” Though Jenna, Elle and Morgan all have 8^th grade siblings, they have concerns too, about finding their way around, and the “really small lockers.”

IGNITE is the brain-child of science teacher Evren Gunduz (File photo)and his 8^th grade leadership group. Mr. Gunduz is also the coach of boys’ J.V. soccer and the 8^th grade boys basketball team. A recent UMass grad with a degree in Earth Systems, Mr. Gunduz, a native of Hopedale, minored in education and music while a member of the University’s critically acclaimed marching band. He became interested in leadership and motivation while working as a senior staff member at Drum Majors Academy, a summer camp for high school kids. The Academy is run by UMass band director, George Banks, and is offered throughout the country.

Upon being hired at the Hopkinton Middle School, Mr. Gunduz decided to introduce his students to these concepts and started a leadership group in the fall of 2005. Meeting once every other week after school, Mr. Gunduz likened the experience to taking an additional class for the students. The first 25 members enthusiastically embraced the ideas and inspired by all they had learned, created and ran a “leadership camp” for middle school athletes in Hopedale during the summer of 2006.

Last year, the group grew to 35 members and like their predecessors, the students wanted to share their knowledge. With the help of Mr. Verra, who saw a real need for a stronger orientation for incoming 6^th graders, the group came up with the idea for this year’s program. Given that the class of 2014 is one of Hopkinton’s largest with some 300 members, they quickly recognized that more mentors were needed, so they recruited additional students. A rigorous application process involving many faculty members resulted in a total of 76 mentors. For the upcoming year, there will be two 8^th graders assigned to a group of eight 6^th graders. In addition to the training they have already experienced, the mentors will receive two days of hands-on training next week before the inaugural event.

During the 2007 April vacation, Mr. Gunduz, Mr. Verra and 6^th grade science teacher Bill Howard attended a conference in New Jersey on ways to set up a 6^th grade mentoring program. Inspired and motivated by the experience, the trio began working on longer-term plans to develop the partnership between classes, and increase positive attitudes across the school. As the year goes on, social and athletic events open to all grades in the middle school will take place. In addition, mentors and groups will meet together each month to do academic check-ins. In February, the team will begin recruiting among 7^th graders to generate a new group of mentors. The IGNITE team hopes to secure an empty classroom as a permanent meeting space, as well.

“If you can, you must” is the motto of the program as students learn to respect each other, as well as the school itself and become empowered in the process. Older kids modeling positive attitudes and behaviors for younger kids, while providing connections often missing in the whirl of every day middle school classes and activities will benefit the class of 2014 long into the future.

NOTE: Anne Mattina, Ph. D., is an Associate Professor of Communication at Stonehill College.

The Hopkinton News^TMonline only at HopNews.com

editor@HopNews.com

508-435-5534