Preparing for Middle School (5th Grade Families)

 

To help Lakeridge families, your Lakeridge PTA has collected a list of some key events hosted by Islander Middle School to give 5th grade families an idea of what to expect. The PTA does not sponsor these programs. This information is subject to change. Please check with IMS for details.

 

  

Preparation for middle school

All information is subject to change. IMS will typically begin communications of the transition to 6th grade in February. 

 

 

Believe it or not, next year your 5th grader goes to middle school. The transition process for students and parents begins in the Spring. 

 

Please check directly with Islander Middle School for specific events but generally, this is what to expect: 

  • 5th Grade Registration Information (Google Form to be sent to all 5th grade families): Typically sent in March to register for 6th grade Fine Arts electives. (Band, Orchestra, or Art Rotation of Art, Creative Writing, Drama) Please note that your student will be automatically enrolled in a trimester of PE, Health, and Technology, in addition to their Fine Arts electives.

  • Gator for a Night . . . Incoming 6th Grade Family Night (for parents and incoming 6th graders):
    The purpose of this night is to give families an opportunity to get familiar with the layout of Islander Middle School. This informal event will give you and your child a chance to participate in a scavenger hunt as you tour around the school and experience fun opportunities that IMS has to offer. Counselors will be available to answer questions about the registration process. This drop-in event, we anticipate the experience to last about 40 minutes. There will be no formal presentation on this night.

  • 5th Grade Classroom Visits from WEB Leaders (for incoming 6th grade students only): These visits will take place in late-Spring. IMS 8th grade WEB Leaders along with our academic student leaders will meet with 5th grade classrooms to share information about IMS and answer student questions.

  • Incoming 6th Grade Parent Information Night (for parents only): This event is generally in May at IMS. The purpose of this night is to give parents a sense of the middle school experience. There will be several informational learning opportunities. Throughout the evening, parents will move through a rotation of presentations. Example of presentations below (subject to change).
    • WEB: Focus on 6th Grade WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) program which connects 6th grade students to the Islander Community.

    • Student Panel: Panel discussion comprised of current 6th grade students who will reflect on their first year at IMS. They will share their perceptions around transition, fitting in, lunches, homework, and extracurricular activities. (This is often the most valuable session for parents)

    • MIYFS: Facilitated discussion by IMS Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Counselor and IMS Technology Specialist. Our MIYFS Counselor will share information about what to expect from your child as he/she enters the middle school years.

    • Technology: Our Technology Specialist will discuss Schoology – our main communication platform for students and parents.

    • Administration: Presentation from IMS Administration. IMS Administrators will share information about the rules and expectations at Islander. 
    • PTSA: PTSA members will share information about the overall student program and how parents can stay involved
  • IMS “Back2School” Day (for incoming 6th grade students and parents): IMS Back2School is the day all students and parents come to IMS in order to take school photos, sign-up for PTSA volunteer opportunities, and walk the student class schedule. 6th graders will also receive their iPad. This event is usually in mid to late August.

  • IMS Open for informal visits (for incoming 6th grade students and parents): IMS will be open to students and families. Students can walk their schedule and get comfortable with their new surroundings. This will not be a day to pick up technology, if you are unable to make Back2School Day, iPads will be distributed on the first day of school.

  • 6th Grade WEB Experience (incoming 6th grade students only): On the first day of school, IMS runs on a special schedule that day where only 6th grade students and their 8th grade WEB Leaders attend school in the morning. The new 6th graders will have a large welcome assembly and then will break into small groups where they will be team building experiences for students, followed by tours and lunch. All 6th, 7th and 8th graders will then run through a shortened schedule of their 6 classes and will begin school late.

IMS also provides an Incoming 6th Grader Information web page each year. Here is the 2024 page (for reference only, information subject to change for following years). Incoming 6th Grade Information 2024 - Islander Middle School (mercerislandschools.org)