Monday, August 10th, 2009
New orientation program set for Celina freshmen
By William Kincaid
A new Celina High School program aims to reduce the first-day jitters and anxiety of incoming freshmen.
Principal Jason Luebke, high school teachers and upperclassmen will be present at a freshman orientation on Aug. 21 to help with the students' transitions from middle school to high school.
"I hope that it will get the kids excited for high school and ease their nerves," Luebke said about the orientation.
After registering with the rest of the high school students, freshmen will tour the building, meet with teachers and practice their class schedule.
Luebke said he hopes the orientation will help students feel more comfortable when they arrive on the first day of school, Aug. 25.
The orientation is scheduled from 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include some structured activities, a free lunch and T-shirt and a pep assembly with the varsity cheerleaders and band.
"It's just sort of a fun day," Luebke said.
Older students, comprised of student council and National Honor Society members, as well as other volunteers, will hold a seminar on how to be successful in high school. Those students will be familiar faces when the freshmen return for the first day of school, Luebke said.
Also, various organizations will be present to inform students of the multiple extracurricular activities and clubs available for participation.
In other high school news, Luebke said Celina High School will host the first annual community service day on April 23.
"We're trying to teach the kids what it means to help other people," Luebke said.
Any organizations with suggestions for student participation on that day are advised to contact the high school.
On the same day, the school will host the 2010 state conference of The Ohio Association of Student Councils (OASC), an event that should bring more than 600 outsiders to the city.
As stipulated by the OASC, the high school building must be vacated of any normal school activities on the day of the conference, thus making it a great day to send students out to do community work, Luebke said.
