They're movin' on up
In the News • MARK ROSMAN
Until this week, I have never been the parent of an eighth-grade graduate. But when the 290 or so members of the Barkalow Middle School class of 2009 received their diplomas on June 22, my son was among that group.

I know this achievement for the members of this class at the Freehold Township middle school means the end of the first part of their education and the beginning of a new phase in their lives.

Along with many of the parents who were on hand for the Barkalow graduation ceremony at the Millstone Performing Arts Center in Millstone Township, I could sense that this was a significant milestone in the lives of these young people — even if they may not realize it right now.

I have watched these children over the past eight years as they performed in school concerts, plays, talent shows and classroom activities.

I have watched many among this particular group of youngsters play sports and I have seen them grow from 5-year-olds who could not keep their hands off one another while they were supposed to be doing soccer drills, to talented athletes who are ready to make their mark on the high school stage.

For those who choose to pursue athletics in high school, my best wishes to them. The News Transcript has chronicled the achievements of local high school athletes for more than 100 years, and that will not change.

What will change over the next four years, for me, is that the sports articles will be much more personal as I read about people I have watched mature.

I am looking forward to seeing how my son and his friends continue to make great strides in high school.

Graduation also signals the start of the divergent paths that the Barkalow students will take in September.

While many of the members of the class of 2009 will go on to Freehold Township High School, others will head for different schools in the Freehold Regional High School District, to private or parochial schools, or to schools in the Monmouth County Vocational School District.

Futures will truly begin to take shape for many of these young people when the summer turns to fall and the 2009-10 school year gets under way.

We survived the middle school years

with a minimum of problems, and I give much of the credit for that to the principal of the Barkalow Middle School, John Soviero.

In his first meeting with parents and incoming sixth-graders three years ago, Soviero made it clear that he would treat our children as his children. He also said that personal responsibility and respect for everyone in the school would be of paramount importance.

The speech he made in September 2006 about Barkalow being a family may have sounded, as Soviero said at the June 22 graduation, "corny," but I have seen that he meant what he said about treating our children with compassion, and I think that the students who were in his care came to understand that as well.

Middle school is not an easy time for everyone, but with few exceptions of which I am aware, I believe the outcome was positive for most of the students who passed through the Barkalow Middle School over these past three years.

After a summer of fun, it will be time to turn the page on a new chapter and get back to work. High school brings its own set of challenges, and I am anxious to see how it all plays out.

Mark Rosman is the managing editor of the News Transcript. He may be reached via email at gmntnews@gmnews.com.