By Holly Dayton, ’13, Contributor
Last Wednesday, Jan. 13, herds of eighth graders wandered wide-eyed through the Upper School halls. No, they weren’t lost—they were visiting their future home! After gathering with US teachers for a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., the eighth graders proceeded to attend a few classes during A and C bells for the annual Pancake Pass-Off and Upper School Class Visitation.
Both Middle and Upper school teachers said they were excited about the visit.
Mr. Park Gilmore, eighth grade history teacher, said he was glad that “prospective freshmen have the opportunity to see what the Upper School is like by going to classes and seeing the different teachers’ approaches. It dispels the students’ fears and makes them feel more prepared.”
Modern Languages Department Chair Dr. Jeanette Hecker said, “I really like the visit, because I get to see students I’ll have next year. It shows me, as a teacher, what the students can do and what I can do with them next year.”
Middle School Head John Polasko and Middle School Administrative Assistant Kathleen Sberna said jointly that they “love it!” They consider the experience “so helpful for our middle schoolers.”
The eighth graders themselves were anxious, not just for the visit but for getting into Upper School life next year. Prior to the visit, Luke Stacy, ’14, said he was excited to “get insight into our future in the Upper School” and hoped the event would be “really helpful for all of us.”
Eighth grader Brian McSwiggen, who takes Honors Geometry in the Upper School, said he is “excited to mix more with the students from the older grades and is looking forward to the new possibilities which clubs provide.”
After the visit, the eighth graders resumed their usual MS schedule. They unanimously praised the morning’s activities.
Luke Stacy said “it was so awesome. There seems to be a lot more freedom [in the Upper School], more diversity in classes, and more options. You can be in classes with people of common interests.”
Emma Hoenemeyer, ’14, was pleased with the morning, as she “enjoyed [her] experience at the Upper School, learning who the teachers were and how the rooms are numbered.”
All eighth graders are preparing for the big change in workload, social atmosphere, and responsibility next year.
Sydney Menifee, ‘14, said “I’m a little nervous but very excited to go to CCDS for Upper School.”
Many current freshman who took part in the US visit last year, have found the visit to be helpful to varying degrees.
Hakeem McGee, ‘13, said “I loved the visit, because it let me see which teachers taught what classes, and their teaching styles.”
Abby McInturf, ‘13, said “it was beneficial, but I didn’t get to sit in on any actual classes, which would have been more enlightening.”
Overall, current freshmen report that they are pleased with the Upper School, and enjoyed the sneak preview they received last year.
Steve Martin, ‘13, said “my experience at CCDS Upper School has been far better than my expectations, even those created after the visit.”
Many freshmen who are new this year and missed the eighth grade class visitation said they wished they’d had the same opportunity.
Alexandre Cabello, ‘13, said “I would feel more prepared for CCDS Upper School if I had the same opportunity that these 8th graders are having now.”
Mr. Gilmore summarized the event: “This will be of great benefit if the students really got into it. But, if nothing else, the pancakes were good.”
Photo by Allison Mesh.