Day 7 -- 8th Grade Orientation

Today's post is from Jen Bormes, School Connections Coordinator 

The day was Wednesday, August 28th, the last week of summer vacation, and Link Leaders had to be at school at WHAT??…6:45 a.m.  That’s right, it was a big day - 8th grade Welcome Orientation.  It was the official welcome to the incoming group of 8th graders to MWHS, the Class of 2018.  On that day 100 junior and senior Link Crew leaders arrived at 6:45 a.m., with their caribou coffee and water bottles in hand, energized and excited for what the day holds.  The leaders were ready to accompany, mentor, reassure and entertain the 8th grade class starting with the Welcome Orientation.  Not to forget that the day included a hot gym and maneuvering the hallways due to the summer construction being completed at the high school.  By 8:00 a.m. the new 8th grade class had arrived and so it began. 

So what is Welcome Orientation?  It is a pep rally, it is a motivational seminar and it is a lesson in observation.  Sounds like a training experience you might find in the corporate world, but the major difference is this was students’ helping other students’ to succeed.  The time begins and ends in the gym, but in between is where the connections really happen. 

8th grade students were introduced to their Link Leaders and have time in a classroom for some small group activities with 6-8 other students from their class.  Together they get to know each other, take on challenges and work together to accomplish a goal.  The fun doesn't end in the classrooms, but rather it’s taken to the hallways during a school tour.  Crews dress up as if they are part of a birthday party, a sports team or headed out for fun at the beach.

The day was all about making memories and creating connections.  Eighth Grade Welcome Orientation is only the beginning, who knows what the rest of 2013-14 has in its future?  Stay tuned to find out!!