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Their first lesson: Learning to chill

Fifty freshmen get tips on coping with Gulf High's new International Baccalaureate program.

By EMILY VASQUEZ
Published July 27, 2005

	[Times photo: Janel Schroeder-Norton]
	Krupal Patel, left, and Steven Chiu, practicing techniques for relieving stress, were part of a group of incoming freshman who attended an orientation Tuesday for the new International Baccalaureate program at Gulf High School in New Port Richey. Gulf High will be the site of Pasco's second International Baccalaureate program, beginning this year.

NEW PORT RICHEY - For some of the area's most driven students, the first batch working toward an International Baccalaureate degree in west Pasco, the first lessons of the year focused on relaxation and a little hip-hop.

While about a dozen girls got down to rap music in the gym, others headed off to the guidance center for tips on destressing. Throw in a talk on notetaking and healthy snacking and they're ready for the intense academic road ahead, school officials said.

The 50 rising freshmen who came to Gulf High School Tuesday for an orientation program have signed up for the "pre-IB" program.

The rigorous courses during their freshman and sophomore years will prepare them to participate in the IB program, the system's most advanced curriculum. The IB program is already available in east Pasco at Land O'Lakes High School and will be available for the students at Gulf when they reach 11th grade.

Officials designed the orientation to help kids start off on the right foot and stay on it as the stress builds. Even before the first homework assignment has been handed out, officials said, many of the kids are nervous about making the grade.

"The classes are going to be hard," rising freshman Stephanie Hull said. She's doubling up on math courses this year, algebra and geometry in one go.

Hull chose to do pre-IB, she said, because her sights are set on Harvard University. She wants to be an oncologist, she said, and the IB program is a good way to get colleges' attention.

In the seminar on "relaxation" Hull learned a visualization technique counselors suggested to help manage stress over the coming year.

Picturing night-time and stars, she learned, does the trick for her when it comes to nerves.

"It's going to be stressful for both parents and children," said Carol Hlad, a family and consumer science teacher at Gulf whose daughter went through the IB program at Land O'Lakes.

"It may be the first time they get a D. It's just a process that's part of our growth."

Sue Walker, whose son, Jackson, attended the orientation Tuesday, said even she's nervous.

"He's afraid of failure. He's nervous about his performance," Walker said. "I'm afraid of failure, as well. I'm afraid maybe it's going to be really, really hard."

Assistant principal Deborah Lepley said the key for now is just for the kids to get comfortable working with each other and get to know faculty.

As they signed in Tuesday morning at the orientation, many were "white as ghosts" with nerves.

But as the day wore on many were exchanging cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

That bonding, she said, is crucial. The students will have each other for support as the work begins.

"This is pedal to the metal," Lepley said.

Emily Vasquez can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6232 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6232. Her e-mail address is evasquez@sptimes.com or call 813 862-1234.

[Last modified July 27, 2005, 01:04:17]