The school year for most Columbus City Schools begins on August 26, but many sixth- and ninth-graders got a dry run a week early at their new schools during the first Districtwide Back-to School Orientation Day.

 

Newcomers at the district's middle and high schools got a chance to learn the ropes without the full student body present.

 

The upperclassmen who were there weren't the ones who most likely to send rookies on snipe hunts and such, but rather those would give legit advice and help entering students adjust to their new environment. Some activities were practical from an academic standpoint, such as hints on taking notes and other study skills.

 

Others, such as Charades, served as icebreakers and team builders.

 

The benefit of the effort not only helps sixth-graders and ninth-graders adapt to their new schools, but also fosters leadership among older students, Superintendent Gene Harris said.

 

She credits Centennial Principal Fran Hershey with setting the tone for other schools with respect to the intensive orientation. Previously, incoming freshmen received a half-day orientation with teachers. Extending the time and bringing in older students adds a new dimension.

 

Senior James Willis wishes the option had been open to him when he was a ninth-grader.

 

"I would have come in a little more confident," he said.

 

He admits that he used to "goof off" when he was a freshman, but adopted a new attitude that eventually would make him a proud member of the Link Crew, the group that mentors underclass students at orientation and throughout the school year.

 

Total enrollment at Woodward Park Middle School is 900, including 300 sixth-graders, said Principal Tim Donahue. Most of the sixth-graders' classwork will take place in a freestanding building behind the main one. But they will take physical education. eat lunch and store personal belongings in the main building.

 

One of the biggest challenges at the orientation was learning combinations to hall lockers, said Julia McFall, a sixth-grader. She said she was glad to learn some of the procedures that will facilitate the adjustment to the new school.

 

Emilee Aldridge was proud to be one of the mentoring eighth-graders who put on an "unfashion" show that dealt with what not to wear to school. The presentation, which said nix to short shorts, tank tops and revealing clothes, was performed to a soundtrack of Michael Jackson hits.

 

Many students volunteered to make the day meaningful and enjoyable, said Sheila Saunders, sixth-grade administrator at Woodward Park. One of the highlights was a skit on the Top Six Reasons that Sixth-graders are Late to Class.

 

Schools that wanted to do extensive orientations in the past had to seek grants or scrounge up other funds, but the bulk of this year's was supported from federal stimulus money.

 

Feedback from the orientations will be reviewed so they can be improved next year, Harris said.