NHS Slates Freshman Orientation

By Sarah Scinto

The first day of high school can be a source of nerves for many incoming freshmen, but the Link Crew at Newtown High School has planned an orientation program to make those first few days and the first year a smooth and exciting transition from eighth grade.

Incoming freshmen at Newtown High School will attend their orientation on August 22, just a week before the school year begins. Once there, groups of students will meet with their upperclassman Link leader, who is trained to help each student through the transition to high school life by providing advice and a sense of community within the school.

Link coordinators Cheryl Lombardo, Amy Repay, Lisa Kapitan, and Jeremy O’Connell have worked throughout the summer to organize this year’s orientation. The Link program is a part of the freshman curriculum for the second year in a row, and Cheryl says they have been trying to build upon the successes of last year’s program.

The program begins on the day of the scheduled Freshmen Orientation, which will involve classwide ice-breakers, a brief welcome from Principal Charles Dumais, and breaking down into small groups for building tours, tips, and games with the Link leaders.

“Everything they’re going through is to get them excited and ease their nerves,” Lisa said of the plans for orientation.

Even orientation can be cause for nerves however, but Amy assured incoming freshmen that they have nothing to worry about.

“They won’t be singled out or put on the spot,” she said.

The Link leaders themselves can determine the success of the program: They are the first connection freshman make with the school when they walk in the doors during orientation.

“We want to have the leaders connect with the freshman as a mentor,” Cheryl said.

These connections are essential to orientation’s goal.

“We want to create a positive environment for everyone and a positive community of students,” said Jeremy.

“Last year there were connections on the very first day, not just among the freshmen but between the freshmen and leaders as well,” Cheryl said. “We hope to see that this year.”

The Link leaders strive to make this goal a reality. They return to school two days earlier than the freshmen to begin training on August 20.

“Coming back so early shows a lot about their dedication and love of this school,” Cheryl said.

Past leaders have been a great help to the Link Crew as they worked to improve this year’s orientation program.

 “We’re still working on making it better and reaching all of the freshmen, even ones who can’t make it to the actual orientation day,” Jeremy said.

Orientation will begin at 8 am and run until 1 pm. Students attending are advised to wear sneakers and comfortable clothing, and to be prepared for student ID photographs.