By: Barbara Clark

All across the nation, people have contemplated whether or not 6th grade should be a part of the middle school or remain on the elementary level. People question whether or not the students are mature enough or ready for the responsibility.
Now, here in Fraser, how do the sixth grade students and teachers feel about this ongoing discussion?  When the two sixth grade teachers at Walt Dis

ney Elementary School were asked whether they thought the students were capable, they had some interesting answers.
“I feel as though many sixth graders are not ready for the middle school in September, but come the middle of the year; some students may be ready for the transition.” 6th grade teacher Mrs. Sara Loveridge said.
This may be surprising, but even some of the teachers feel that eventually, the students in 6th grade will be ready for the middle school experience.
“I think it is more beneficial for the 6th graders to remain in the elementary as long as they are treated as middle school students and prepared for the transition.” 6th grade teacher Jarod McGuffey said.
Other teachers may not feel as though the students are quite ready in 6th grade, but most students are ready and want to make the transition.
Student Council President Kain Golemba said “It would be kinda cool to be in middle school for the lockers instead of desks and not having a lot of little kids around all the time. It would teach you to be more mature,”
Kain, age 12, in Mr.McGuffy’s class, said he is looking forward to joining the middle school football team and is excited to join the middle school.
“I want to move up because I feel like I’m ready to do harder work,” Michael Kafoury, said.
Michael, age 11, in Mrs. Loveridge’s class, is also excited to join the middle school football team.
“I still want to be a part of the elementary school because I don’t feel like I’m ready for middle school yet. There is a lot more work and I don’t think I’ll have the time.” Student Council Vice President Caitlin Kelly said.
Caitlin, age 11, in Mr. McGuffey’s class, was the only interviewed student who didn’t feel as though she was ready for middle school. However, she still said she was looking forward to choir.
The teachers feel that the students aren’t completely ready for middle school yet, while most students are ready and excited for it. Now, what to decide, time to move them up or keep them down?