Hamilton High School (HHS) Counselors visited Templeton Middle School (TMS) on February 13 for Scheduling Day, a day dedicated to supporting current eighth graders as they prepare for the transition to high school. One-on-one meetings between counselors and students are designed to build early connections, ease anxieties and ensure students feel prepared long before their first day of high school.
“This day is made special by seeing all the high school counselors happy and smiling and wanting to engage with us,” shares Templeton Middle School student Maddie Steighner. “Scheduling Day is so much more than just picking classes for the next year,” she adds. “We got to see how the school counselors help students feel supported and how they really prioritize being present in the moment to help students feel fully prepared.”
HHS counselors met with TMS students to discuss course selections, confirm schedules and answer questions about high school expectations. More than simply selecting classes, the positive experience creates a bridge between middle school and high school.
Members of TMS Peer Helpers played a large part in making Scheduling Day a success. They greeted and directed students who arrived in the TMS library to meet with HHS counselors. Peer Helpers also helped with organization and logistics ahead of Scheduling Day to create a welcoming and supportive environment.
“As a Peer Helper, it was important for me to step up and take that leadership role because I know that my help mattered,” shares Templeton Middle School student Malea Kelley.
“This day is the start of growth and maturity for everyone,” shares Templeton Middle School student Molly Jacques. “The experience of being able to sit down and schedule classes with your counselor is important because then you can start to plant that seed of friendship with your counselor,” Jacques adds.
Templeton Middle School student Ayla Tetting is grateful to have helped organize Scheduling Day. “Meeting with our future high school counselor is so special because it’s the first time that students really sit down and talk about their future. It also helps build bonds between students and their counselors before the school year even starts, making the transition to high school a lot easier and more welcoming.”