Staff reports 1:08 p.m.
Saturday, May 9, 2020 1:09 pm

Members of the Colby College team at Rochester Middle School welcome students on a video that was shared on Friday. (Video capture/Courtesy Rochester Schools)

ROCHESTER - Faculty and staff from Rochester Middle School are seeking to ease the apprehensions of fifth-graders about to enter a junior high setting by recently making a video to introduce students to their teachers and the building they'll be living in seven hours a day for the next three academic years.

Rochester Middle School Principal Adam Houghton narrates much of the video, in which he welcomes each of the 332 new sixth-graders.

To view the video, click here.
Usually the school holds a "Step Up" Day in June, which serves as an opportunity for the incoming students to tour the middle school, meet teachers and ask questions.

However, schools statewide have been closed since mid-March and will remain closed for the remainder of the school year due to COVID-19.
The video was shared with students and their families on Friday.
"Step Up Day is a really fun opportunity for students to learn about their new school, and we wanted to make sure our incoming students had a similar welcoming experience," Principal Houghton said. "It really helps make that first day of school an easier transition, and we're excited to have the incoming sixth grade class join the Rochester Middle community."
The video includes a presentation by Principal Houghton, tour of the facility and a welcome message to the incoming students. A presentation video was also sent to special education students and their families, and on May 11 the school is additionally hosting a virtual question and answer event through Zoom at 6 p.m. with parents and guardians.
"This was a really great effort on behalf of our Rochester Middle School team, and I'd like to thank them for putting this video together for students and their families," Superintendent Kyle Repucci said. "Our faculty and staff have worked hard over the last few weeks to craft engaging remote learning opportunities, and it was special to see our district is already looking forward to the fall and making an effort to make sure students will feel welcome."