Each spring our 8th graders begin their exciting transition to high school. Mr. Kantor visits, reviews, and assists our students in selecting courses that will fulfill their graduation requirements and spark their interest in learning. This is when high school becomes a reality for our 8th graders. Spring’s splendor also brings 5th graders to our building to ease the transition to middle school. In short, spring is a time of beginnings and goodbyes at HBR Middle School. This year, our 8th graders will leave us with a truly unique middle school experience. For those teenagers, middle school began during COVID restrictions, so each year this group experienced special events and rites of passage differently than any previous class. The class of 2027 has shown resilience throughout their middle school years. While accomplishments are a plenty, our current 8th graders helped to usher in new innovations like our outdoor classrooms, new approaches to the traditional cafeteria setting, a school-wide Character Strong initiative, and brand new explore programs.
This year, our 8th graders will leave us with a truly unique middle school experience. For those teenagers, middle school began during COVID restrictions, so each year this group experienced special events and rites of passage differently than any previous class. The class of 2027 has shown resilience throughout their middle school years. While accomplishments are a plenty, our current 8th graders helped to usher in new innovations like our outdoor classrooms, new approaches to the traditional cafeteria setting, a school-wide Character Strong initiative, and brand new explore programs.
A few of this year’s 2027 students were asked to share their thoughts on the three years they have been with us. Join us in wishing the entire class of 2027 all the best during their high school year!
“I have had many great experiences at Hinckley-Big Rock Middle School. Some of my favorite times include yearbook club, meeting new classmates, and the teachers. The Yearbook Club was great. We had fun; we collaborated; we ate snacks, and we hung out. Each week we saw our progress in finishing a keepsake for everyone in our school. Something I didn’t expect to happen when I came to middle school were the new friendships that arose. One of my best friends, Donovan, came to HBR this year. The teachers are awesome, too. I will miss hearing Mr. Jourdan’s stories and laughing at Mr. Bastian’s jokes. I will also miss all the staff in the hallways; they made sure we felt welcome every day. Most of all, I will always remember how it feels to have been a part of a group of 8th graders who began middle school under the strangeness of COVID, and we leave as the last class to have Mr. Strouss and Mrs. Blume for all three years. I feel like I am ready for high school.” --Hunter Schmidt-Bauer
"A little fish in the big sea-if that’s how the saying goes. Entering middle school felt like a large blanket of insecurity was wrapped around me. I would worry about who to sit with at lunch, or what outfit to wear that day. Looking back, none of that mattered. What did matter was finding people I could laugh with and count on. I always enjoyed band class and writing ridiculous stories in language arts; practicing soccer in the burning heat, but somehow it was still enjoyable. Now my eighth-grade year is coming to an end, and I will once again be the small guppy in an ocean full of sharks, but I’m not as scared now. I’m ready to start a new chapter of my life with people that care about me." –Evie Buckson
Monica B. 8th grade
"6th, 7th, and 8th grade are years I will never forget. A lot happened in those years, whether it was a global pandemic, forming new friendships, or getting to meet new teachers, there will be many memories associated with my middle school years. Some memories may be good, and some may not be the best, but those memories help us become who we are, and we will remember them for the rest of our lives. And yes, there have been hard times, like trying to do well on tests, trying to get through new changes, and even getting through remote learning because of Covid. But I don’t regret these challenges because they’ve helped me grow, and sometimes challenges can bring good to our lives, even if you may not see it right at the moment. All in all, some of my fondest memories come from middle school, and I will remember them in the years to come. I thank all the teachers for being supportive and for trying to be there for their students, and for making school hilarious and fun. I will miss it all going to high school next year, and I hope the soon-to-be 6th graders, including my sister, will enjoy the next three years of their school career.” -- Monica Brandonisio