Instead of just hopping right into classes, the 2012-2013 school year will start off with individual class orientations and assemblies.

According to Principal Madelyn Ball, “We’ve got something new cooking for the beginning of school next year.”

Instead of just the entering freshmen class of 2016 having a class orientation, all grades will attend an orientation day.

According to Ball, each class will have an orientation prior to the first day of classes. During the orientation day, students will have their photo taken for the school yearbook and attend a seminar that will address issues such as bullying and alcohol education.

“We want to get the school year started on the right foot. I don’t know for sure what all the topics are going to be. Those types of topics are designed to make kids more resilient so you don’t fall victim to bullying or mean girl status, so that maybe we can give you some strategies to help you make those better decisions,” Ball said.

According to Ball, the focus of the assemblies will vary with the needs of each individual class.  “This will be an opportunity at the beginning of the year to address topics that are really important. Obviously with the seniors, we’re going to want to stress drinking and driving,” Ball said.

Maggie Cassidy is Print Chief for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.