No More Freshman Fretfulness

CLINTON

A nervous stomach, sweaty palms, not recognizing a soul, and a fear of asking questions is not how the administrators at The Morgan School in Clinton want incoming freshmen to remember their first day of school.

To prepare the 147 8th-graders from the Jared Eliot School and other students moving to the area or previously home-schooled, Principal Keri Hagness is hosting the annual Freshman Student Transition Educational Program, or STEP.

The program, which holds three different events throughout the year, has its main event for all incoming freshmen this week, Aug. 19 to 21, at the school. Other events include a February Open House for parents and students, and what is referred to as a “transitional day” in January where 8th-graders visit the school during the week to see it in action.

“The program this week is part of a series of events that help incoming students and parents become better acquainted with the school’s programs, expectations, and routines, and how they can get involved,” said Hagness, who replaced retiring principal William Barney this summer.

Incoming freshmen will spend three days at the school to get acquainted with every nook and cranny of the large building and learn where the classrooms, gymnasium, library, and especially the cafeteria, is located.

More than 75 students who are sophomores, juniors, and seniors have signed on to help lead and mentor the incoming freshmen during the program. Having the upperclassmen involved is a tremendous help to both groups, said Hagness. The freshmen feel less intimidated by the older students and the upperclassmen learn leadership skills.

In addition to the students, there will be teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators present to facilitate discussions.

“We will be talking about goal setting, strategies for studying, handling conflict, and team building,” said Hagness.

Hagness believes that the more involved students are with their school, the more successful they will be. In order to be involved, one needs to know what’s available as far as the school’s extra-curricular activities, programs, sports, and clubs, etc.

“We want the students to get excited and be confident about what to expect,” she said. “We want them to feel prepared and not be afraid to ask a question.”