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Schools

For freshmen, it's a lesson in belonging

A program on the day before classes begin gets Citrus High newcomers acquainted with other students, as well as their new school.

By PAULETTE LASH RITCHIE
Published August 10, 2005

	[Times photo: Ron Thompson]
	Citrus High incoming freshman Andrew Bingler scratches his neighbor's back during a group exercise to relieve tension at the opening of an orientation for freshmen Tuesday. During the program, upperclassmen helped newcomers get acquainted with the rules and procedures of the school and with each other.

INVERNESS - Incoming Citrus High School freshmen were welcomed to their school Tuesday by dozens of students wearing the aqua shirts of the "Link Crew." These volunteers were upperclassmen (mostly juniors) who wanted to help the newcomers feel welcome and less isolated at the beginning of a daunting new stage in their lives.

Link Crew coordinator and Citrus High activities director Vicki Overman began with some exercises to help freshman get acquainted. They stood and stretched their arms, then turned and gave shoulder massages to the students in front of them.

Soon she had volunteers standing in front of the group on the floor trying to smash balloons between each other in bear hugs. Overman used the idea of those volunteers to point out the three kinds of students that can usually be found in a high school: those who make things happen; those who watch things happen; and those who wonder what happened.

She encouraged students to get involved in school activities. So did newly appointed principal Leigh Ann Bradshaw, who addressed the students before they broke into smaller groups.

"School is what you make of it," she told the students. "I expect that you (will) get involved in high school. I expect every one of you to walk across the stage and get your diplomas."

The students were divided into 50 smaller groups of about 10 headed by Link Crew members. They headed to classrooms where the leaders became acquainted with their freshman and the freshmen with each other.

"This is a mentoring program," Bradshaw explained. It is meant to help the students develop a sense of belonging, to let them know there is an older student willing to help them through ninth and 10th grades, to get them involved.

"The whole point is to get them mixing with other kids. Research shows if they have connections with their teachers and each other they're less likely to drop out," Bradshaw said.

She said the school was restructured to put grade-level homerooms together in the same area. The goal: to give each grade level a greater closeness, particularly in special times such as homecoming or FCAT administration.

Activities continued throughout the morning and were capped with a pizza lunch. In the cafeteria the students learned about some of the organizations at the school. There were displays by such groups as girls weightlifting, Future Business Leaders of America, FFA, Interact, TV Production, drama and the student council to woo potential new members.

Perhaps while they wander the big, new world of high school this morning, students who attended the orientation will recognize a face or two, know to approach a Link Crew member if they need assistance and have a first day that is not as traumatic as a new experience can sometimes be.

School starts today. Have questions? Call the school system's hotline, 637-2233, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The hotline will be open through Friday.

[Last modified August 10, 2005, 00:36:13]