It was time to say farewell to summer and to begin a brand-new year.

           The first week of school was broken up into a phased entry to allow students time to adjust to the new year. Freshmen had a two-day orientation on August 28 and 29, and upperclassmen had their own orientation on August 30. The first day of full classes for all students was Thursday, August 31.

            On the first day of Freshmen Orientation, students were able to learn more about daily life at John Carroll. During the second day, small groups visited different academic departments and completed classes based on the summer reading book.

            Upperclassmen came to school for orientation on Wednesday, September 30. Their first day began with a school-wide prayer service in the auditorium. At the prayer service, students were asked to work with their advisories to write down advice for the new freshmen.

            After the prayer service, there were grade-level meetings in the gym, auditorium, and cafeteria. In these meetings, students heard from their class moderators about events throughout the year, the deans about dress code and disciplinary policies, and campus ministry and the counseling department.

            Students then went across the top of their schedules to visit every class for 15 minutes.

Junior Cameron Leach said that his favorite part of orientation was “getting to go through all the classes and meeting my teachers.”

           Science Teacher Shane Lawler commented that the multi-day orientation process is a “nice way to ease into the school year for returning students and faculty. It’s a good pace so that people aren’t overwhelmed.”

          The new school year brings many new experiences for students to look forward to.

Junior Alyssa Hughes said, “I am most excited to get my ring.”

Senior Lydia Ward said, “I am excited for prom.”

          No classes were held on the following Friday and Monday because of Labor Day Weekend.