Students from More than 30 Schools Speak Their Minds in Revealing ‘Eighth-Grade Dialogues’

For years, county school boards associations held what they called “Eighth-Grade Dialogues” in which students from local middle schools discussed their experiences.

Due to the pandemic, the NJSBA was not able to hold in-person interviews during 2020-2021, but the Association conducted video interviews with the students. The videos have begun airing on the NJSBA’s Facebook Live page.

“The students provide valuable insights into how they endured the pandemic,” said NJSBA Executive Director Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod. “Their comments are honest and heartbreaking at times. Kudos to everyone involved in this project, which captures the voices of young students sharing their experiences during this unique moment in history.”

Videos from most counties will be posted on the NJSBA’s Facebook page in the weeks ahead. In this initial phase, in six videos, eighth graders from more than 30 schools in Burlington and Atlantic counties discussed their experiences.

Find the videos here.

It should be noted that interviews were held between the end of February and mid-April. Many more videos from other schools in other counties will be posted in the weeks ahead.