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Greenbrier doesn't do some sort of freshman orientation?
The transition from middle to high school is an anxious time in any adolescent's life, and some local high schools are trying to alleviate those worries by holding freshman orientation sessions.
Lakeside High School held a two-day Summer Panther Academy, named for the school mascot, Tuesday and Wednesday to help rising freshmen adjust to their new school.
Last year, Lakeside held its first freshmen orientation for about 20 students who were at risk of getting off track for graduation.
"Last year was our trial, and we wanted to keep it small," said Dorcas Powell, a Lakeside graduation coach.
This year, however, the school invited all of its rising ninth-graders.
"The main focus here has been on the new graduation rule, credits and how you move from being a freshman to a sophomore," Ms. Powell said.
The state has adopted new graduation requirements that will apply to freshmen for the first time this year.
The 90 students who attended the freshman academy got their schedules, found their classrooms and lockers and went on a scavenger hunt to explore the building.
Christina Roselli, 13, who just moved to Columbia County from upstate New York, said she met some of her new classmates.
"I didn't know anyone," she said.
Another incoming ninth-grader, Chris Franklin, 15, also said the orientation was beneficial.
"It's helped us find our way around so I know where my classes are," he said.
Sandra Thompson, the graduation coach at Riverside Middle School last year, helped with the orientation session.
"It's so much fun to see them get excited about high school," she said of her former pupils.
Ms. Powell said 17 of the 20 rising freshmen who attended the session for at-risk students last year were on track for graduation at the end of the first semester.
Lakeside will hold a second summer academy from 9 a.m. to noon July 29-30.
Ms. Powell said almost half of the incoming freshmen signed up for one of the two-day sessions.
Reach Betsy Gilliland at (706) 868-1222, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.
OTHER SCHOOLS' PROGRAMS
COLUMBIA COUNTY
- Evans High: July 24, 9 a.m. to noon, 1-4 p.m.
- Harlem High: July 30-31, 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
RICHMOND COUNTY
- Westside High: July 24, 9 a.m. to noon
- T.W. Josey High: Early August. Call (706) 737-7360
Comments
Greenbrier doesn't do some sort of freshman orientation?
how can anyone get off-track of graduating when they are just coming in high school as a freshman??????? i don't get it could someone explain how the students who haven't had ONE DAY of class as a freshman are identified as having the potential to get off track???? as i said before to the property taxpayers of richmond county, here comes another large program that you will be paying for one the school board deem it is "FOR THE CHILDREN". where are the parents to monitor and check if their children are ready for high school, why is any type of orientation PROGRAM needed for students who have yet to enter high school, high school is no different than junior high the only difference is more student, you still have to navigate and find your way on your own. well any opportunity to WASTE TAXPAYER'S MONEY...could this be a protion of the 14 million dollars more rcboe spent than they have taken in????f AS I SAID BEFORE HOLD ON TAXPAYERS, I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU
jisomjr, you must be old enough to have forgotten the anxiety of transition that takes place when you go from King (oldest in middle school) to peon (youngest is high school). It's obvious to teachers which students won't handle this transition well because of personality or previous effort or a number of reasons. I think the orientation is a good idea and a chance to help set the tone for the students freshman year.
I could not agree more with you, patriciathomas. I think it's great that there is an orientation program for all the students entering their freshman year. Public high schools are huge, and if the kids can become comfortable with finding their classes, the cafeteria, etc. that's going to be just one small part of helping them adjust to the more strenuous academic requirements of high school vs. middle school.
jisonjr
AT RISK! Read.... It is for people who are most likely NOT going to graduate or graduate ON TIME because they are AT RISK. Certainly you can think of who is AT RISK.
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