On Aug. 29, the faculty and administration of Somerville High School welcomed new students and the Class of 2017 with its first summer orientation program in four years. The day was designed to inform students of opportunities afforded to them at SHS and allow them to walk through the hallways to become familiar with their new school.
Upon entering, students received a Class of 2017 t-shirt, courtesy of the SHS PTO.
Additionally, they picked up a packet of information that included their new student handbooks, schedules, and locker information. Operating lockers for the first time on the first day of school can cause unnecessary anxiety and this day allowed students to take their time and practice. The morning portion of the program was also designed to allow students to walk through the courtyard and purchase Somerville High School clothing from our Booster Clubs and PTO.
Following the morning registration, the administration held a student assembly in the high school auditorium to inform students of a variety of information before they enter SHS on opening day. Presentations included: code of conduct, attendance regulations, extracurricular activities, understanding student schedules, bell schedules, and the basic structure of a nine- period day.
These conversations may be second nature to sophomores, juniors, and seniors, but to new students, it’s valuable information as they prepare for their high school journey. Students were then dismissed to run a schedule simulation, a walkthrough of what their day will be like, with assistance from the new SHS Peer Leaders they began at their period 1 class and continued to period 9 with 4 minutes passing time to get from class to class. This proved to be a worthwhile activity as students mapped out the route to each of their classes.
The program concluded with everyone enjoying pizza in the courtyard. It was a well- attended event in which new students were able to become familiar with their surroundings and ease any anxiety for a smooth transition to Somerville High School.