A New Leadership Opportunity Helps Guide the Way for Grade 6 Students

This year St. Patrick’s has established a new group in the Middle School, The MacArthur Navigators. The Navigators, under the leadership of School Counselor Julianne Reilly and Grade 8 Advisor and Physical Educator Teacher Gordon Jones, is a group made up of volunteer Grades 7 and 8 students whose mission is to help the new Grade 6 students feel welcome and included on the Middle School Campus. 

We know that some aspects of the transition from Grade 5 into Middle School can feel overwhelming. Our Navigators have helped our Grade 6 students settle in by checking on them in the hallways and joining Grade 6 lunches and recesses in order to get to know their younger classmates and build supportive relationships. Each Navigator will also act as a mentor for a small group of Grade 6 students throughout the rest of the school year. 

Grade 6 students will all know at least a few older students they know they can come to with any questions or concerns. We are excited about this new endeavor and hope that the new leadership opportunity for our older middle school students will help add even more connection and belonging to an already supportive and inclusive community!