VALPARAISO | If anyone's ready for today's return to school, it should be the sixth-graders at Benjamin Franklin Middle School.

On Tuesday, the incoming students got pep talks, locker tutorials, dress code pointers and even ice cream -- all in an effort to smooth the transition to a new location and new level of schooling.

"It's going to be a great year," Assistant Principal Andrew Sargent told the almost 300-strong group. "I am so excited to be here and meet you guys."

"Finally," said special education teacher Marie Reynolds as she awaited students making a run-through of their class schedule. "I am so excited to be back because . . . as a teacher you're waiting at the gate to be back with the kids."

Seventh- and eighth-grade members of the National Junior Honor Society helped the new kids figure out class schedules and locker combinations.

Eighth-grader Kaylee Pullins approached one girl having locker trouble. After a few unsuccessful tries and a bang on the handle, Pullins went off to find more help. Math teacher Faye Georgiadis stopped by, but with no better luck. The girl, it turned out later, was at the wrong locker.

And that's what Tuesday's orientation was all about, Principal Christopher Fields said. The move from elementary school, where students have the security of one room, to middle school with its moving between rooms was a major transition, he said. The orientation was a nonthreatening way to familiarize students with their new digs, he said.

The new kids admitted to a mix of feelings.

"Pretty nervous," said Autumn Pierce. "It's a bigger school, easier to get lost."

Katrina Ganshorn said she felt "really good, because it's a new school, brand new classrooms. It's good to get away from the little kids."

During an opening gathering in the auditorium, Fields highlighted respect as the way to make the year go smoothly. He also warned against drugs, harassment and leaving electronic devices on during the school day.

But, he added, "I don't expect problems. This looks like a good group."

Sargent urged respect, honesty and seeking out help with problems. He noted that the dress code prohibited holes in pants above the knee cap.

"What if it's on your knee?" one student asked.

"We may need to get a math teacher (for a measurement)," Sargent said.