Student had ‘great opportunites’ at CMS
EDITOR:
My name is Shane Miller. I am currently an 8th grade student at Clinton Middle School. I recently became aware of the plan to possibly build a middle school for Clinton City students.
This proposed middle school would be built next to the current Clinton Middle School. City zoned children would attend the city middle school and county children would continue to attend what is now Clinton Middle School.
These neighbors would not get the opportunity to meet in the classroom until high school.
I decided that I would share the story of my transition to middle school and how it was important for me to make the decision to attend Clinton Middle School in 6th grade and blend with my peers at the earliest opportunity.
I attended Clinton Elementary School (Clinton City Schools) from kindergarten through fifth grade. I had nothing but great experiences at Clinton Elementary.
They had so many amazing teachers, programs, and incentives. I was given many great opportunities during my time there, and I have much respect for the school.
Even so, I made the transition to Clinton Middle School (CMS) in sixth grade instead of staying an extra year at the elementary school and transitioning in seventh grade.
I did this for many reasons, primarily because I felt it was time to branch out and discover a new environment with new peers, ideas and teachers.
Because of this decision, I have made friendships at CMS with students from the county schools.
I believe it is very important in the middle school years to experience social change and be introduced to new people and beliefs. I feel like by the time you’re in high school, you are less likely to make new friendships and be as open to new ideas.
Middle school is a very interesting period. It is the time when you discover who you are and who you want to be in the world. It is a benefit to blend people from different backgrounds in order to learn about the world and your place in it.
I believe that if city children and county children were separated for an additional three years through the development of a new city middle school, it would be to the detriment of both groups.
Children would have a harder time transitioning into a new high school school setting than they would at a middle school level.
A city Middle School could ultimately divide the city of Clinton when we should really be finding ways to unite.
Sincerely,
Shane Miller
Clinton Middle School
Eighth Grade Student