Toll Gate seniors revisit Winman, 6th graders get to see future school

By John Howell
Posted 6/15/17

By JOHN HOWELL Winman Junior High students had visitors from both ends of their school careers Friday. Sixth graders from Winman feeder schools such as Cedar Hill and Scott were bused in and then, in late morning, wearing their caps and gowns they had

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Toll Gate seniors revisit Winman, 6th graders get to see future school

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Winman Junior High students had visitors from both ends of their school careers Friday. Sixth graders from Winman feeder schools such as Cedar Hill and Scott were bused in and then, in late morning, wearing their caps and gowns they had just received, seniors walked over from Toll Gate. The senior walkthrough is a tradition that students and teachers like.

Teachers and Winman Principal Joanne Pelletier were at the front door to greet many of the students they hadn’t seen since they left for Toll Gate. Winman students lined the staircase as the parade of soon-to-be grads (Toll Gate graduation was Wednesday at the CCRI field house) dressed in red and blue gowns were cheered and applauded.

The Winman students put on a show of their own as the visiting sixth graders were divided into groups of 10 and 12 to be given a tour by two Winman students. Student guides answered such questions as what types of athletic programs are offered and how much time they could expect to get to eat lunch. They didn’t have too many questions about the school’s music programs, as they could see and hear for themselves what it is all about. A quintet from the chorale performed just outside the school office from touring groups while a floor above them the jazz band that won the highest superior rating at the junior jazz festival hosted by the Rhode Island Music Educators Association performed such pieces as My Funny Valentine. Close by in the school auditorium, a group of students from the band played more selections.

Pelletier made a point that this is the first year for all the students to be playing a musical instrument.

Some of the visiting sixth graders said they were ready to make the transition to junior high. In fact, some looked ready to move in right away. Others were more cautious, taking in the multi-floors of the school and its decidedly much bigger feel.

There, however, was no ambiguity over how Toll Gate seniors felt. They were ready to graduate and a return to Winman was a reinforcement of their desire to move on.

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