Grayson County students who are entering the sixth grade during the 2010-11 school year are being offered a unique opportunity this summer.

The students are offered the opportunity to attend a week-long program called the Sixth Sense to meet teachers, classmates and learn the ins and outs of attending middle school.

“The program is designed to help the incoming sixth graders have a smooth transition to the middle school,” said program organizer Becki Pearl. “ Research shows that an easy transition to middle school makes all the difference in the world behaviorally and academically.”

The program offers a week full of activities designed to prepare students for life as a middle school student. The primary goal of Sixth Sense is to make students feel comfortable with their schedule, locker assignments, login and lunch codes as well as school expectations.

“But more important than teaching the kids what to expect when school starts, it gives us a change to meet the students and have a little fun as they get to know us and their new classmates,” said Pearl. “We have had about 150 kids attend. That is about half of the students that will start sixth grade in the fall.”

Future sixth grader, Conner Shultz, was glad to have the opportunity to learn where everything was in the school before the seventh and eighth graders attended school.

“I came to this so I could learn about the school. I was worried about getting lost,” said Shultz. I wanted to learn where all my classes were and my schedule so it makes it easier on the first day.”

Mallory Thomas and Allyson Vincent were excited to learn they would share all but one class of their seven classes next year. Both girls were apprehensive about being the youngest students in their new school.

“I was afraid we would get bullied because we would be the youngest,” said Thomas. “But now I don’t think that anymore and I am ready to start sixth grade.”

“We are both in Team Eight and in every class except one,” said Vincent. “Knowing who will be in my classes helps. I was nervous yesterday but now I am having fun.”

The program is being offered to student because of a 21st Century Community Learning Grant that was received earlier this year.

In addition to the school activities there are several community partners that are helping make the week full of knowledge and fun for the students.

Kinda Ewing from Grayson County’s University of Kentucky, Cooperative Extension Services is teaching the students about science and playing parachute games with them. A member of the Corp of Engineers teaching a lesson on water safety and Angie Jones with Community Education is teaching a class on physical education.

Parents are invited to end of the week a wrap-up with a cookout and giving the parents a chance to meet teachers and staff.

Darwin Dennison with the Grayson County Jail will supply the food for the cookout and Harold Goff is providing the drinks.

For more information about the program or questions contact Becki Pearl at (270) 259-4175 or by email: Becki.pearl@grayson.kyschools.us