By Suie Choi ’20, Middle School Editor

A new school year is filled with changes — new teachers, classmates, and courses. While most upper school students dreaded the start of school as it marks the end of their relaxing and stress-free summer, the middle school halls buzzed with excitement during the first week of school. The new middle school building contributes to the welcoming atmosphere. From the middle school morning meetings to the “homey” environment of the common room to Mr. Ashburn’s and the middle school teacher’s welcoming office, the middle school, especially, fosters a friendly environment as there is a sense of unity with each student and faculty member.

On the first day of school, middle school students happily greeted old and new friends and found their way to their new classes. For returning students, teachers, and faculty members, going back to the familiar setting of the middle school building softened the anxiety of back-to-school. This was the theme shared by many returning students, delighted to see familiar faces. For new members of the community, fear and uneasiness grew as they arrived at the school, not knowing what to expect. No one explained both of these feelings better than Ben Glickman ‘23, who just returned from a year abroad in Switzerland, along with Rachel Glickman ‘20 and Jake Glickman ‘25, after his first year in Newark Academy as a sixth grader.

Ben experienced being a new student for the second time at Newark Academy. He admits that he felt nervous pulling up to the middle school building on the first day of school: “Although I had visited numerous times throughout the previous years, I felt a little nervous falling out of the NA loop both socially and academically,” he said. Upon his arrival, he was welcomed back by his old friends and teachers and was eager to catch up with everybody on what he has been up to for the past year.

He captured the welcoming atmosphere in the middle school: “I felt as if I had never left the NA community. Everybody I knew remembered me, and I remembered everybody.” His warm reception reminded him of how happy he had been during his first year as a sixth grader. He explained, “I have always loved this school and these past weeks have reminded me why. I feel at home and I am already more social now than I had been for my entire year in Switzerland.” Ben also recognizes the impact of the students and teachers in his academic work: “I also feel more invested in academics here. The students in my classes and teachers motivate and inspire me to learn.”

Aside from the atmosphere of the middle school, his teachers and everyone in his grade has also made him feel at home: “I am surrounded by people that respect and care for me, and that feeling of community is what makes this school special.”

Within the first few weeks of school, Ben made it clear that he is happy to be back at Newark Academy and almost feels like he never left. The middle school sets a tone of camaraderie and goodwill within the first weeks that lasts throughout the entire school year. Although it has only been a few weeks, new students, like Ben, feel welcomed and are sure to make their marks at Newark Academy with their positive attitudes.