Fresh starts are always more frightening than they should be. Even as adults we are often paralysed with anxiety over the most minute details of various transitions into new situations.

New jobs, apartments, relationships, and countless other new life interactions make us nervous, uncomfortable, and sometimes downright petrified.

Well, think back to your school days. Remember the fear that sat in the pit of your stomach the fisrt day you walked through the gate of your new high school? Back then, of course, there was only one transition for school-aged people: primary to high!

Now there are two such transitions, and the students of today are no less anxious than we were all those years ago. They are younger now during the first transition, and perhaps even more self-conscious than we ever were during the second.

Daele Binns is an 11-year-old former East End Primary student. She will be entering Clearwater Middle School this coming September, and she has no shame in telling The Royal Gazette that she is "a little bit" scared.

Daele expressed anxiety over sceduling, locations of classes, and general confusion due to the dramatic change that comes with moving from teacher to teacher for different subjects (primary teachers teach all the core subjects in one classroom).

When asked about meeting new friends, she said that she wasn't worried about that because she "already knows enough people" who will be joining her at Clearwater. So, with the often overwhelming social issues in check, we set about finding answers to her most pressing questions.

To address these concerns, The Royal Gazette put Daele in touch with Mrs. Denika Wade, who teaches M1 Social Studies at Clearwater Middle School, and offered the following advice:

Daele: "What class will I be in?"

Mrs. Wade: "It is hard to say what class you will be in until school starts. Everyone will be put into four groups of about 20 students. This is called your homeroom class. I teach social studies but I am also responsible for homeroom, M1-4. Mrs. Daniels has Math and M1-3, she is also the team leader. She is in charge of all the M1 students. Miss Frances teaches English and is the homeroom teacher of M1-2. Miss Burgess teaches Science and has homeroom group M1-1. You will go to most classes with your homeroom group.

"You also will be placed in a smaller group called an advisory group. Your advisory teacher will help you with your schedule and make sure that you understand what you need to do. If you have any questions about school, this is the person to see. I am an advisory teacher too."

Daele: "Whose going to be my first teacher?"

Mrs. Wade: "Your first teacher for the day will always be your advisory teacher. On the first day of school your advisory teacher will show you where everything is and tell you which homeroom you are in.

"You will be with that teacher for about 30 minutes each morning. After that, your schedule will tell you where to go."

Daele: "Which days am I going to have Gym?"

Mrs. Wade: "There are four core classes that you will take everyday. They are: math, english, science and social studies. Then there are the encore classes, they include: physical education (which is called P.E. or gym for short), Spanish, art, family studies, business studies, design and technology, and music. Don't worry, you won't have to take all of them at the same time! These classes, you will only go to about three times a week. Once you get your schedule, you will know what days you will be having P.E."

Daele: "How do I get from place to place?"

Mrs. Wade: "All core classes are in the M1 Block, which is at the back of the school. All other classes like art, busuness studies, and P.E. are in the main building. To get around, you will have to walk back and forth. Don't worry. There is no need to carry all your belongings with you all day. You will have your own personal locker to store all the things you don't need to take with you."

Daele: "Thank you Mrs. Wade. I hope I'm in your class!"

Mrs. Wade: "You're quite welcome, Daele, and I look forward to seeing you in September."

We hope that this short question and answer session has shed some light on the intimidating process of finding your way through your blindingly new middle school. As you can see, the transition does not need to be painful; as long as you listen to your teachers and follow instructions.

Mrs. Wade advises all new Middle School students to take their first few weeks in stride.

"Don't worry, middle school will be fun. It is quite different from primary school but you will get the hang of it."