The orientation will be on Sept. 1.

At the orientation, sophomores will receive their 2011-12 schedule; meet up with friends for part of the event; gather in the gymnasium for fun energizers; meet Link Crew student leaders, who are juniors and seniors in leadership roles; and tour the school in a unique way.

Unlike orientations of the past, this orientation is going to be interactive and will allow students to spend time with their friends.

This is the second year that the district has done the interactive orientation. While in past years with a more typical orientation, the district only saw 60 to 70 percent participation.
Last year, with the interactive orientation, the district saw 400 out of 440 students — about 90 percent of participation.

“Students are much more comfortable when they start school on the first day,” said assistant principal Chris Barker.

The orientation will be led by Link Crew student leaders and their coordinators: Mr. Barker, Ms. Calzi, Mrs. Fisken and Mr. Shepanski, but most of the event will be facilitated by the juniors and seniors. 

Student leaders are trained for about 12 hours before the orientation.

Barker said that there are several new students who will be coming to the district. “They’ll know everyone before they walk out the door,” he said.