By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Fifth-grade students at Clanton Intermediate were introduced to what middle school will be like during tours on May 17.

Clanton Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade students led tours of the school, explaining important elements of the layout and procedures along the way. Counselor Malia Robinson selected the student who led the tours, based on schedule flexibility, good behavior and grades.

Before the tours, CMS assistant principal Laura Ward gave students an overview of the rules, dress code and attendance policies.

The event is designed to help alleviate nervousness and anxiety the students may feel at entering middle school.

“They have a lot of anxiety coming over. It is a bigger school, a bigger atmosphere. They go from being the oldest to the youngest,” Robinson said.

The visit to CMS helps them “get more comfortable” by helping them know the rules and where their classes are.

“We want to make it a successful transition for them coming in,” Ward said.

Ward highlighted the new seven period format and electives that are available. The seven periods will be a change for all CMS students, who currently have eight periods with English Language Arts being taught for two class periods. Seven periods will mean English is taught for one class period, the same as all of the other subjects.

“The curriculum they are going to have is going to be a little more rigorous than what they have been used to, at the same time it is a chance for them to explore who they are as individuals,” Ward said.

Getting involved in a school club was also emphasized.

Ward said she hopes the tour “gets them excited about the transition.”