Incoming freshmen at San Benito High School have the opportunity
to experience the fun side of high school this Friday without all
the pressures of crowded hallways and finding their classroom
before the first bell rings.
Incoming freshmen at San Benito High School have the opportunity to experience the fun side of high school this Friday without all the pressures of crowded hallways and finding their classroom before the first bell rings.
Starting at 8am with the passing out of unofficial schedules, the SBHS Freshman Orientation, organized by the Associated Student Body Link Crew, will help more than 820 freshmen learn how to navigate the campus and the social scene.
“It’s important not to miss it because it’s your one chance to experience high school without all the pressure,” ASB Press Secretary Stephany James said. “There are a lot of kids coming from different schools, so it’s a great chance for everyone to meet their classmates.”
After receiving their schedules, the students will fill the bleachers in Mattson Gym, where the ASB members, and different administrators will put on an informative assembly. Different class officers will speak, clubs and organizations will be present and the cheerleaders will perform to rally the crowd. After the assembly, freshmen will break into groups of 12 led by four to five upper classmen. The juniors and seniors, also known as the Link Crew, will give the freshmen a tour around campus, showing them where their classes may be and answering questions about campus and the social atmosphere.
“This gives them a sense of comfort because they know at least one upper classmen when they start school,” said Jeannette Robles, co-coordinator of Link Crew. “It can be very intimidating being at the bottom of the totem pole.”
The Link Club group was designed to link freshmen with upper classmen, to make sure they get involved and so they have a friend who knows the campus.
Aside from the fun and socializing, Robles said, orientation helps guide many students in the right direction.
“A lot of the time, students enter high school and they’re already thinking of dropping out,” she said. “But this is a way of showing them the fun parts of high school and what they can get involved with so it encourages them to stay.”
With school starting next week, Robles said the Link Crew is already beginning to plan for events throughout the year to follow up with the freshman class and make sure they stay involved.
“We’re in the process of organizing a tailgate party for the freshmen to get together before one of the frosh football games,” she said.
Christine Tognetti can be reached at 637-5566, ext. 330 or at [email protected]
