Class of 2034 moves into the middle school
NU public schools welcomes back 5th and 9th grades
The fifth grade students at New Ulm Public Middle School were excited to gather for their first day back at school Monday. In front left to right, Annabelle Tarlson, Hannah Dawson and Aurora Carbert wait for the first bell of the school year. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Fifth grade language arts teacher Makena Walls (right) and MLC student teacher Olivia Klabunde (left) excitedly await the arrival of the new fifth graders. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Martin Luther College student teacher Olivia Klabunde (left) admits it is her first day in a new school too. Photo by Clay Schuldt
The Huskies, one of the fifth grade houses at New Ulm Middle School, visit their new lockers at the start of their first day back at school. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Fifth grader Brecken Kral was able to get is locker open without any issues Monday, on his first day in middle school. Kral was disappointed summer break had to end but was excited to be in a new building this year.
The fifth grade students at New Ulm Public Middle School were excited to gather for their first day back at school Monday. In front left to right, Annabelle Tarlson, Hannah Dawson and Aurora Carbert wait for the first bell of the school year. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Fifth grade language arts teacher Makena Walls (right) and MLC student teacher Olivia Klabunde (left) excitedly await the arrival of the new fifth graders. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Martin Luther College student teacher Olivia Klabunde (left) admits it is her first day in a new school too. Photo by Clay Schuldt
The Huskies, one of the fifth grade houses at New Ulm Middle School, visit their new lockers at the start of their first day back at school. Photo by Clay Schuldt
Fifth grader Brecken Kral was able to get is locker open without any issues Monday, on his first day in middle school. Kral was disappointed summer break had to end but was excited to be in a new building this year.
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NEW ULM - Monday was the first day of school for New Ulm Public School's fifth and ninth grade students.
For the last 10 years, New Ulm Public School has held a staggered start to the school year, bringing the students going into fifth and ninth grade in first. With the fifth grade students entering the middle school for the first time and the ninth grade students joining the high school, the district prefers to give the two grades a chance to adjust to the new building without the older students.
"It is going great," said middle school principal Michelle Miller, "We always like to start the year with the fifth grade students here and the ninth grade at the high school to help orientate new students without the stress of having the older students here."
The fifth grade classes are divided between three different sections, or houses.
For the first day, the students were asked to gather in their respective houses before the starting bell. This was to help the student find their place.
For the first hour, the students met in their advisory classes before a group assembly. The students took part in councilor led activities the rest of the day that included a tour of the building.
Fifth-grader Brecken Kral said that while disappointed the summer was over, he was excited to be starting in the middle school.
For Kral, the start of the first day went over well. He was able to successfully open his new locker without any trouble.
There were several fifth grade teachers on hand to help the new fifth grade class open their lockers or find their way around the building.
Fifth grade math teacher Erik Skoglund said for many of the students it was their first time in the building and he had to point the way for several of them, but everything was going smoothly.
Fifth Grade language arts teacher Makena Walls helped direct the new students to the correct classroom before the first bell.
"Today is about building community, reconnecting with their classmates" she said. "It about letting students get comfortable with the new building and teachers."
Its not just the first day for the students. It was also the first day for Olivia Klabunde, a new student teacher from Martin Luther College (MLC).
Klabunde told some of the more nervous students that it was her first day too, but she was excited to start. She said the fifth and sixth graders were her favorite students to work with.
Miller said that this first day was mostly dedicated to orienting the new students. This year's incoming fifth grade class was the largest at the school with 175 students, over a quarter of the 655 students enrolled at the middle school.
All students in middle school and high school will returned to class Tuesday. The Kindergartners at Washington Learning Center have their first day Wednesday.