Navy Cdr. (ret.) Doug Groters talks with new students about the U.S. Navy JROTC program during Freshman Day at Richards High School. (Supplied photos)
SD218 Class of 2026 gets off to a fast, relaxed start
Coach Andy Schindel smiles as a student signs up to play softball during Freshman Day at Shepard High School.
Designed to calm their nerves and introduce them to all that high school will offer, Freshman Day in District 218 greets new students with a warm embrace.
For a long time, researchers have known that ninth grade operates as a gateway: Students who succeed tend to excel in later years, while those who struggle tend to encounter difficulties down the road.
So, getting off to a good start, and convincing freshmen to take control academically, has become the focus for teachers and administrators.
Freshman Day sets the table and seeks to allay the many concerns and anxieties that new students customarily face. Not worrying allows students to concentrate freely on academic success.
New students meet their teachers, learn to work lockers (a great concern for most), tour school, discover extracurricular offerings at an activities and athletics fair, receive iPads that they will keep throughout the academic year, and eat together.
Upperclassmen, many of whom will serve as freshman mentors, led the tours and ice-breaking activities.
Richards English teacher Kelly Rorison helps distribute iPads on Freshman Day. Students use iPads daily and keep the devices all four years.
Shepard High School freshmen complete the registration of their iPads, which they will use daily in class and keep all four years.
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