CREATING AN AWESOME FRESHMAN ORIENTATION PRESENTERS: PATRICK

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CREATING AN AWESOME FRESHMAN ORIENTATION

• PRESENTERS
• PATRICK LAGACE
• JULIA LAGACE
• KRISTA SULLIVAN

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WHAT IS A FRESHMAN?

• The newest students entering high school
• 9th Graders
• Average age 14 years old
• Approximately 2 months removed from being in
  middle school
• The same number of years from graduating High
  School as they are from having been 10 years old

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FRESHMAN VITAL STATISTICS

• There are 13 schools in Connecticut where forty
  percent of the incoming freshman never graduate
• There are about 1700 High Schools nation wide
  with similar statistics
• Overall it is major concern for the United States

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FRESHMAN VITAL STATISTICS Cont.

• Freshmen have fears coming into high school
  lockers, dances, peer pressure, getting lost,
  grades, work load, lunch seating, social status,
  and others.
• For regional schools there can be additional
  issues busing, not having classes with friends,
  over-crowding, and more.

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FRESHMAN NOT FRESHMEAT!

• Imagine showing up your
• first day of school and seeing
• a sign like this!
• Not exactly a reassuring welcome

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WHY ORIENTATION?
Research indicates that academic achievement
from middle school to high school decreases while
behavior problems, suspensions and expulsions
increase early in ninth grade. Hertzog and Morgan
found in their research in Georgia and Florida,
that those high schools that just did building
tours and meetings with school counselors for
strictly registration purposes, had the highest
drop out rates.(Building bridges between middle
schools and high schools). The problems are
clear and as usual the solutions are not but
there is evidence that students who feel welcome
and accepted become adjusted quicker and have
fewer problems making the transition to high
school.
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KEENE HIGH SCHOOL

• Keene High School is a regional school that has
  approximately 1850 students from more than seven
  different towns.
• At KHS our freshman come one day before the rest
  of the students to give them some time to
  acclimate to the school.
• Upon returning from Jostens Renaissance in
  Phoenix last year our group from Keene High
  School met several times to plan our Freshman
  Orientation.
• The first item on the agenda was to come up with
  a theme. This theme would be used not only for
  orientation but also throughout the year at pep
  rallies and events.
• The theme should be fun, exciting, and at the
  same time promote a positive message.

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KHS FRESHMAN ORIENTATION 2007 PUT YOUR BEST FOOT
FORWARD
Our theme was fun, encouraged progressive thought
and behavior, and allowed us to use our mascot to
help sell the message. The day was planned with
many activities to help the freshman learn about
the school, make new friends, have fun, and
relieve some of the stress and anxiety about
coming to KHS.
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KHS FRESHMAN ORIENTATION 2008ITS OUR TIME DONT
HOLD BACK
After returning from the Phoenix Renaissance
conference our group got together with Student
Council and planned our 2008 Freshman
Orientation. We took some of the ideas from the
previous year and added some great new elements
that we learned at the Phoenix conference! The
next slides will detail how to get started!
GO FRESHMAN !
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ARenaissance Experienceon the First Day
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Changing the Climate of a School

• Creating change in a large group of people can
  be challenging, and once an attitude or culture
  is developed it is even harder to change. So how
  do we reach them before they have a chance to
  develop an undesirable attitude about High
  School?
• The very first day of school is our best
  chance to make a lasting impactful impression.
  Create a Freshman Orientation that will wow them
  and give them a positive feeling and attitude
  towards school.

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Where to Start

• Begin to assemble a team in mid to late spring
• A great place to promote this is with the group
  going to Renaissance
• Also enlist the Student Council for help
• By the beginning of June have a staff student
  group selected to be the freshman orientation
  team

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Planning Time

• Summer meetings are hard but being prepared early
  will make the beginning of school less stressful
• Two meetings in June and two more in July
• Three to four meetings in August depending on
  when you start school

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Divide and Conquer

• Dividing the team into four sub-committees makes
  it easier on everyone
• Suggested committees
• Scheduling
• Entertainment
• Promotion
• Materials

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Scheduling

• This group will be responsible for
• Making meeting schedules
• Contacting the areas of the school that will be
  involved in the orientation
• Administration for access and approval
• Maintenance for equipment, set-up, and clean-up
• Clubs or groups that will be involved
• Parents prospective students
• Cafeteria people
• Homeroom/advisors
• This is the group that really needs to get the
  ball rolling so that all other activities are
  completed on time.

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Entertainment

• What you choose to do for entertainment will vary
  but team building games work really well.
• Get a red carpet and put it by the entry door and
  have all the staff there to greet the students as
  they come in.
• This team decides what games will be played and
  where they will be played.
• A club fair in the Library or Cafeteria is a
  great way to introduce Freshman to the clubs.
  Make sure the club advisors are contacted in June
  before school ends
• School tours are a great way to show the Freshman
  where their scheduled classrooms.

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Entertainment (cont.)

• In the auditorium a fashion show of what not to
  wear to school is a big hit!
• Produce a video showing the important people
  places in your school. Interview staff and
  students on the video and show it before the
  fashion show.
• Having an area for student ID photos to be taken
• Include the school mascot- Have the mascot go
  around the school and ask students questions-
  give out candy bars for correct answers

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Promotion

• This group needs to sell the idea to the staff
  and students. The more people you have the better
  and easier the project will be.
• Get the sports teams onboard have them in uniform
  running the games and giving school tours
• Get local business involved, gift certificates
  for the team building games are a great
  promotion, also lunch coupons work well or if you
  have a school store
• Send a newsletter or flyer home to parents and
  students so they are aware of the day
• The day before orientation call EVERY student and
  welcome them and encourage them to come to
  orientation, this may take many volunteers.
• Encourage positive behavior to the entire student
  body to make the freshman feel accepted not
  intimidated

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Promotion (cont.)

• Create a theme for the incoming class
• Ex. Its Our Time Dont Hold Back
• The Renaissance website is a great help for this.
• Encourage the freshman to make it through all
  four years.
• Having them all sign a graduation gown
• Trace their hands or feet and have them sign them
• Cut out stars and put all of their names in them
  and hang them in the school
• Keep these items prominently displayed in school

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Materials

• This group is responsible for acquiring all
  materials needed to make the event happen.
• Poster board, markers, tape, etc.
• All items needed for games
• Candy, Gifts Gift Certificates
• Maps of the school
• Graduation Gowns(Use light colors)
• Digital cameras
• Tables and all needed furniture
• Welcome signs for outside the school
• Freshman telephone lists for personal phone calls
• Misc. supplies needed to complete your
  requirements

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Sample Day Outline

• 730- Students arrive but are kept outside
• 745- Students enter on red carpet staff
  welcomesthem with applause
• 800- Principal Administrations message to the
  incoming class
• 815- Student leaders address to the crowd
• 820- Video of the school
• 830- Divide the students into groups and move
  the various planned activities(Use the intercom)
• Divide the Students into 4 groups
• 845- 915- Shift 1 920- 950- Shift 2
• 955- 1025- Shift 3 1030- 1100- Shift 4

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Outline (cont)

• 1105- 1135- All students go to Homeroom for
  general information and paperwork
• 1140- 1210- All students go to the cafeteria
  for lunch
• 1220- Buses pick-up students and take them home

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Thanks For WatchingEnjoy the Video