A few days ago, Carver’s Summer Transition Program at West Rocks Middle School welcomed rising 6th graders into a world of discovery, confidence-building, and middle school readiness. From Tuesday, July 1 through Thursday, July 31, 2025, students are gathering each weekday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM for a full day of academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, and unforgettable hands-on experiences designed to ease their journey into middle school.
The program blends fun with purpose, helping incoming West Rocks students get to know their new school, meet future classmates and teachers, and build the skills—academic and social—they’ll need for a strong start this fall.
Towering Confidence with STEM Challenges
Here, students were given a classic engineering challenge: using only 25 sheets of paper and tape, they had to build the tallest freestanding tower that could hold the weight of a textbook. The challenge demanded teamwork, planning, and perseverance. Watching the towers rise—and sometimes fall—was just as educational as seeing which ones held strong. Most importantly, the students learned that success often grows from trial, error, and creative collaboration.
Reading to Hank the Therapy Dog
One of the most heartwarming highlights was a visit from former West Rocks teacher Jen Duran and her beloved therapy dog, Hank. Students were introduced to the concept of therapy animals and how they help people feel safe, calm, and supported. The next day, each student had the opportunity to read aloud to Hank, a gentle and judgment-free listener. This activity helped students practice fluency and build reading confidence in a relaxed setting, easing some of the academic anxieties that can come with entering a new school.
Fire & Ice with Mad Science
For a thrilling afternoon, Mad Science’s “Fire & Ice” live show turned the school cafeteria into a scientific wonderland. In a series of dramatic demonstrations, students learned about chemical reactions, combustion, air pressure, and sublimation. Highlights included:
Foggy dry ice storms and sizzling scissors
A floating beach ball held aloft by air currents
Vanishing flash paper that disappeared in a flash of fire
Fire experiments that safely wowed the crowd and brought science to life
The interactive, high-energy presentation captivated students, igniting their curiosity about chemistry and physics in a way that lectures never could.
At Carver’s West Rocks Summer Transition Program, rising 6th graders are getting ready for middle school while discovering how fun, engaging, and empowering learning can be. From STEM experiments to emotional literacy, from team-building to reading with furry friends, the summer experience is helping students grow into confident learners and kind classmates, ready to hit the ground running this fall.
Thank You, Mr. Richards!
Carver extends its deepest gratitude to Michael Richards for his exceptional leadership and dedication to our students at West Rocks Middle School. As a longtime Carver teacher, Grade 6 Social Studies Teacher, Subject Area Leader, and Director of Carver’s Summer Transition Program, Mr. Richards continues to inspire both students and colleagues through his commitment to academic excellence, positive school culture, and meaningful enrichment experiences. His work has helped countless rising 6th graders feel confident, connected, and ready to thrive. Thank you, Mr. Richards, for all you do!
