Richards welcomes kids back with school bash

The marching band drumline from Richards High School played as new students walked into their new school on Freshman Day.

It’s that time of year.

Students are heading back to the classroom.

Richards High School, 10601 Central Ave., Oak Lawn, welcomed incoming freshmen with its fourth annual Back to School Bash on August 9.

“When I think back to my first day of high school, I was terrified,” Debbie Swanson, math teacher and Richards’ activities facilitator at Richards, said. “It was terrifying to go to a new big building, and I felt like I wouldn’t know anyone. All the main worries of will I get lost in the halls and who will I sit with at lunch crept in my mind. I think most kids feel this way when they enter high school.

“At Richards, we want our students to feel like they belong here. We want our school to feel like home to them. The beauty of the event is that students are able to meet new people and make new friends in a non-formal way. Kids love to hang out and have fun. The structure of this event allows them to do that. Plus, we give the students building tours so those that attend feel even more comfortable in their new home when they come for that first day.”

Coach Tommy Makuch and returning players talk with new students about playing girls basketball at the activities fair on Freshman Day at Richards High School.

The free event, organized by Swanson and provided students with the opportunity to tour the building and meet their classmates, while participating in some interactive activities throughout the day.

The entire incoming freshmen class was invited with more 240 students in attendance. Working and supervising the event were all of Richards’ administrative staff, along with many of the school’s teachers and Parent Boosters Club.

“My hope was that our incoming Bulldogs will have the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet new friends, and have fun,” Swanson said. “We want all our students to know how excited we are to have them all back in the building this year and can’t wait to get to know them and help them make this momentous transition to high school.”

Throughout the day, students could play basketball or volleyball during open gym sessions, get lost in an inflatable obstacle course, ride a mechanical bull, play video games, mingle or dance to music provided by a live DJ.

Every student in attendance was provided with a meal ticket that included their choice of a beef hot dog, chips and a drink or a slice of pizza and a drink. But the snacks and refreshments did not stop there, because The Parent Boosters Club had the concession stand open to purchase additional food including candy, popcorn and drinks for a small price.

Richards High School Spirit Wear clothing was also be available for purchase.

“We want our students to know that they are welcome at Richards,” Swanson said. “This is their school and the start of their journey, that we feel privileged to be part of.”

Richards’ first annual Back to School Bash was hosted in 2021.

“It was a way to welcome on incoming students after the pandemic,” Swanson said. “We knew that students had been more isolated during that time and we wanted to provide a safe, non-formal event to help students make new connections.”

The event was a huge hit, resulting in staff continuing to host the event again year after year.

“The goal has stayed the same – for students to start to feel like they belong at Bulldog Nation,” Swanson said. “They get to make new friends and meet some of our current student leaders and educators.”

Whatever nerves freshmen felt Monday as they walked into Richards High School on their first day, they most likely dissipated quickly.

With the marching band drumline playing, new students received beautiful Richards shirts, received a warm welcome from first-year Principal Dr. MaLinda Majoch, met their teachers, and started to learn all that high school will offer.

Freshman Day offers discovery at Richards.  Students receive iPads, which they keep as long as they’re enrolled.  They learn to work lockers, tour school, complete an abbreviated form of their academic schedules, and participate in an athletics and activities fair.

Coach Julie Folliard talks with students about playing softball at Freshman Day at Richards High School.