The administration team will continue to update this FAQ with additional questions as they arise.
Please check back regularly for updates.
5th Grade Transition to Middle School Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Leaving Bean & Glenn
- Logistics & Daily Operations
- Student Experience & School Culture
- Transition & Acclimation
- Special Education & Student Support Services
- Safety & Security
- Transportation
- Long-Term Planning / Future Considerations
Leaving Bean & Glenn
- What activities or opportunities will my child receive since they are missing out on being a safety?
- The principals and safety advisors are collaborating to create alternate leadership and service opportunities for students.
- Will my child receive everything the 5th graders receive this year?
- Yes, fifth-grade students will participate in all traditional end-of-year activities, with additional planning underway by principals, teachers, and current fourth-grade students to enhance these experiences.
Logistics & Daily Operations
- What are the drop off & pick up times?
-
Currently doors open for students at 7:45 am; Homeroom begins at 8:10 am; end of day pick up starts at 2:33 pm with bus dismissal at 2:40 pm
-
- Will before and after care be available?
- Before and after care will be available through our current provider, Just Kids. We are finalizing the logistics, as our current system involves bussing sixth-grade students from the middle school to the elementary school for after care. A separate, detailed notice regarding Just Kids services will be sent by the elementary principals.
- Will there be a separate entrance for 5th graders?
- Not at the moment.
- Will they have to change clothes in the locker room for gym?
- No, fifth-grade students will not be required to change clothes in the locker rooms for Physical Education (PE).
- What will the classes look like?
- Fifth-grade students will have a self-contained classroom model, meaning they will have one primary teacher and will not change classes for core subjects. Fourth and fifth-grade teachers from both Bean and Glenn Elementary Schools will be transitioning with the students to Pine Hill Middle School (PHMS) next year.
- What will recess look like?
- Students will have a designated recess period connected to lunch, similar to their current elementary school experience. They will utilize a field for play, providing an environment similar to the one at the elementary schools.
- When will they start using lockers?
- Students will not officially be assigned lockers until sixth grade. However, we plan to allow them to practice using lockers during the spring of the next school year to help acclimate them and reduce potential stress associated with the transition to sixth grade.
- Will their teacher transition them in the halls?
- Yes, teachers will transition fifth-grade students to their related arts classes and lunch periods.
- Will the students be operating on a rotating class schedule?
- No, fifth-grade students will maintain a schedule similar to their current elementary school schedule.
- Will there still be Standards-Based Grading (SBG) and trimesters?
- Yes, we are planning to maintain Standards-Based Grading (SBG) and the trimester schedule for the fifth grade.
- Will the fifth graders be with the 7th and 8th graders during the day? How will students be separated?
- The middle school will be organized into two distinct areas: the Lower Middle School (Grades 5 and 6) and the Upper Middle School (Grades 7 and 8). Fifth and sixth graders will be housed in one wing, separate from the seventh and eighth graders. Students in these different grade spans will not have classes or lunch at the same time, and they will not be in the same hallways unsupervised.
Student Experience & School Culture
- Will they be able to join clubs and sports?
- We are currently finalizing the details on available clubs and sports for fifth-grade students. Please check back for an update soon.
- Will they have access to Art Enrichment?
- Yes, there will be Art Enrichment in some form for 5th grade.
- Will there be a Halloween parade?
- The Middle School currently hosts a Harvest Party for each grade level. We are reviewing and considering the tradition of a Halloween parade.
- Can we make a 5th grade only club afterschool?
- We are currently evaluating the possibility of creating fifth-grade-only afterschool clubs. We will provide an update as soon as a decision is made.
- What about field trips?
- Fifth-grade students will have the opportunity to participate in a field trip next year.
- Will students have access to G&T programming?
- Yes, fifth-grade students will have access to Gifted and Talented (G&T) programming.
- Will the students have a different principal/AP than the 6th-8th graders?
- The Middle School currently has a Principal and Assistant Principal. We are finalizing the logistics regarding the administrator assigned to the fifth-grade cohort.
- Will the fifth grade students have discipline appropriate to their age?
- Yes, the Middle School administration is collaborating with the elementary principals to establish discipline procedures and expectations that are developmentally appropriate and consistent with the needs of fifth-grade students.
- Will the students still have PBIS?
- Yes, Pine Hill Middle School (PHMS) implements a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program.
Transition & Acclimation
- How will we acclimate the Glenn students with the related arts staff from Bean?
- The related arts staff will visit Glenn Elementary fourth-grade students before the end of the school year to facilitate a smooth introduction and acclimation process.
- When will orientation be held?
- A Parent Information Night occurred on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Another night will be scheduled for late summer for both parents and students to attend. Student orientation opportunities will also be scheduled, and details will be shared soon.
- When will they meet the school nurse & other staff?
- Fourth-grade students are scheduled to visit the Middle School on June 4th to participate in a scavenger hunt, meet key staff members (including the school nurse), and have lunch.
- When will students find out their schedule and teachers?
- Schedules with teachers will be sent home in the summer.
- What social/emotional supports will be put in place to help with the transition?
-
- *In Progress
Special Education & Student Support Services
- What will the MD & LLD classes look like?
- The Multiple Disabilities (MD) and Learning and Language Disabilities (LLD) classes will maintain a structure similar to what students currently experience in the elementary school.
- Will there be an inclusion class?
- Yes, there will be an inclusion classroom.
- Will special education students get a chance to meet their teacher in advance?
- Administration along with CST will plan an opportunity for our Multiply Disabled(MD) students to meet their teacher
- Who will the case manager be?
- The current CST 6th-7th grade case manager will also case manage our students in the 5th grade. This staff member has previously served as an elementary case manager and will be sending home communication to our new 5th and 6th grade parents to introduce herself and share contact information.
- Will they still receive supports such as speech therapy, PT, OT…?
- Yes, students will continue to receive all related services, such as speech therapy, physical therapy (PT), and occupational therapy (OT), as outlined in their current Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
- Will they have their IEP met?
- Yes, the implementation of all Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) will be fully upheld.
- Is ESY still available?
- Yes, students who qualify will have the opportunity to attend ESY.
- Will guidance counseling be available?
- Yes, there will be a guidance counselor assigned to the fifth graders.
Safety & Security
- What are the security procedures at the middle school?
- *In Progress
- What are the procedures for visitors?
- Visitor procedures are similar to those at the elementary schools. This includes signing in at the vestibule area, using the Raptor system to scan ID, and having information checked against our Genesis system for enhanced security.
- What measures are taken regarding bullying?
- The district maintains a comprehensive Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) policy, which is regularly reviewed and posted on the district website. Our focus is on proactive interventions and ensuring a safe, supportive environment for all students.
Transportation
- How will you determine who receives busing?
- *In Progress
- Will students who are currently walkers be walkers next year?
- *In Progress
- Do students with IEPs and/or special needs meet any additional criteria to obtain bussing?
- No, the district will continue to use the current criteria when determining if a student with an IEP requires transportation due to their disability.