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Mostly Cloudy Fifth graders unite in friendly competition
In a few short months, the new sixth-grade class will walk through the halls of Baldwin Middle School for the first time and meet hundreds of new classmates that they will spend the next seven years with.
But before those students head off to BMS, they have to finish up their fifth-grade years at their respective elementary schools.
In order for the current fifth graders to get to know each other before next fall, students from all five elementary schools came together on May 21 at Baldwin High School to make new friends and compete in a variety of field day events, like kick ball, capture the flag and flag football. The event is known as Unity Day.
High school students who comprise Athletes Helping Athletes helped oversee the action and have traveled to elementary schools throughout the year to teach sportsmanship and the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.
Athletic Director Ed Ramirez organized the event and said he doesn’t know of another district that offers a program like this. “It’s a great concept,” he said. “It builds some school spirit. We just want to promote that we’re one group.”
Bayyan Ngala-El, a senior on the baseball team and member of Athletes Helping Athletes, said the event is like one big icebreaker.
The fifth graders were broken up into eight color-coordinated teams and spent the day playing activities and getting to know each other. The day concluded with BMS Principal Timothy Maher introducing himself and welcoming them to their future school.
