Wandering into homeroom on the first day of school, the usual sights and sounds were almost too familiar. There was something wrong with this picture….And then it hit – where were the freshmen?
This year’s incoming freshmen had the opportunity to receive a crash course on being high school students as well as being part of the long-established SDA community. The program, which was thought up by Secretary Leah Ryan-Sonnich, was christened the Freshman Homeroom Orientation. While the rest of the school went to their old homerooms on the first day, the freshmen gathered in the gym to begin their assimilation into SDA.
In the gym, the freshmen were introduced to primary staff members, such as the Principal Tim Hornig, and assistant principals Ryan Yee and Jeanne Jones. The freshmen were then presented with a video created by last year’s senior class. The video welcomed them toSDAand also offered some advice and information aboutSDAand being a freshman. Next, the administration talked to the students about SDA’s Mission and Vision Statements and Core Values.
The freshmen came back on Thursday, were broken into groups based on which counselor they were assigned to, and were sent to different locations. Hornig, Jones, and Yee discussed SDA’s policies and procedures such as attendance, accessing the nurse, off campus lunch on Wednesdays, electronics and theft, bullying, and the dress code.
Upperclassmen from Pals, ASB, and Link Crew contributed to the discussions by presenting their own experiences which helped the freshmen connect more to the information, according to Nebolon. Jones described the role of the older students as a way to show the younger students that the rules have reason.
On Friday, the ninth graders were once again broken into groups based on last names. Once there, the counselors introduced themselves to the freshmen. Anne Nebolon, the counselor for students with last names A-G, described her experience: “It was a good opportunity for the ninth graders to meet me and get to know the counselors and learn what we can do for them. “
She and the other counselors told the students about what the counseling department provides for the student body – support groups and a PAL are available to anyone who needs them. “We are always looking for an opportunity to connect more with the students,” explained Nebolon, “and this was a great opportunity.”
Finally, on Tuesday, the students picked their own homerooms. They milled around the gym with friends, looking for the homerooms that were best for them. PALs, ASB representatives, and Link Crew members mingled throughout the crowd, providing directions and help for the freshmen’s homeroom decisions.
Jones described the event as well organized: “The students knew what they were doing. They found their friends, went in, and went out.” She said that she was pleased with this freshman class. She hoped that finding a homeroom that suited them, a homeroom where they could be with their friends, would help decrease the number of lost souls amongst the freshman class and provide a more inviting atmosphere.
“Throughout [the orientation] we were taking copious notes,” Jones added. The staff received feedback from the ASB students, always looking for ways to improve. An online survey for the freshmen will be posted within the week to provide the staff with the reactions and experiences of the participants.
“SDA’s really fun,” said freshman Sophia Mock. “We learned about punishments, the way of life [here at SDA], the atmosphere, the guidelines.” Turning to fellow freshman and friend Rebecca Karp, the two agreed that they found the community of the school very welcoming. “The teachers are good,” added Mock. “I feel comfortable approaching them and talking to them.”