Fifth-graders from across the district poured into McDevitt and Kennedy middle schools yesterday for their first glimpse of sixth grade, while middle school students explored Waltham High School.
"Come on in," said outgoing Assistant Principal Debra Gately, who held open the front door at McDevitt as students filed in from school buses. "Welcome to McDevitt."
After a short presentation by Gately, welcoming them in the auditorium, students went off to meet their new teachers.
In a science laboratory, students were eager to find out more about their new school.
"Is it really tough to find all of your classes," asked Carlos Cedeno, 11, a Fitzgerald Elementary School student. "What if we forget our locker combination?"
Sixth-grade science teacher Colleen Feehan allayed some of the students' fears and also talked about what their science studies will be like during the next school year.
"We're going to learn a whole bunch. We're going to learn about the planets," she said. "I like to do projects. We're going to make a scale model of the Earth and a project I really like to do is we're going to make ice cream."
Tori Zanco, 10, a Whittemore Elementary School student said she' a bit nervous about going to middle school and admitted the new building is a bit intimidating, but she's excited nonetheless.
"I think it's going to be good for me to get new friends," she said. "It looks much bigger than our other school. It's sort of scary, but it looks fun too."
Across the city, eighth-graders visited Waltham High School on their last day of school yesterday.
After listening for their names to be called by their new teachers, the students filed out of Robinson Theatre seeming eager to see the school they would be attending in the fall.
"I'm pretty excited," said Kennedy Middle School student Emily Frischembruder. "I'm excited about trying new things and meeting new people. (My friends are) excited too."
After a general assembly with their entire grade, the students were split up based on their future homerooms for their tours of the school.
"It's new," said Kennedy student Chris Ciano. "But I feel like I can get used to it."
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or at jgilbrid@cnc.com
