MARLBOROUGH – Superintendent Ernest Houle is pleased to share that first-year students at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School attended an orientation to mark the start of the new school year.
The two-day orientation was held Tuesday, Aug. 30 and Wednesday, Aug. 31. It is designed to make students comfortable with the building and with the high school process, calm nerves and allow students to make connections with peers and staff.
First-year students wore black shirts, while student leaders from upper grades wore red shirts to easily stand out and make themselves available to guide students through different stations and assist as needed.
“The halls of any school can be intimidating to a new student, especially for kids coming to Assabet from a much smaller middle school,” said Dr. Shannon Barry, a school psychologist who also serves as first-year student coordinator. “The goal is to ease students in over two days in a way that is both fun and informative. Our student leaders really step up and do their part to make first-year students comfortable and answer questions they have.”
Day one of the orientation focuses more on the academics that students need to learn, such as reviewing school rules and how to be a good digital citizen. Day two focuses more on fun activities, such as games set up at different stations, a STEM room, musical chairs in the school gymnasium, a game show room and physical activities outside.
Students also receive their Chromebooks during orientation and meet with their academic teachers and tour the different shops at the school.
First-year student Parker Williams said the event was helpful as he makes the adjustment to high school.
“So far the school seems great and all the teachers I’ve met have been very nice,” Williams said. “I’ve already met some new friends and am a lot less nervous.”
Williams’ older brother also attends Assabet, and he already had some familiarity with the building and what the school offers. He said he’s planned on attending Assabet for a few years.
“I’ve been interested in the electrical program for a while, but I’m excited about being able to learn about all of the different options,” he said. “One of the reasons I wanted to go to Assabet was the hands-on learning that we get to do in different shops. I want to try them all.”
The first full day of school for non-first-year students is Thursday, Sept. 1. For more back-to-school information from the school, click here.
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