HHS to Host Orientation for Incoming Freshmen
Wouldn’t it be great is every single one of the 383 incoming Huntington High School freshmen earned straight A grades this year? That’s always the goal of teachers and administrators as a new class enters the building and begins a four year journey toward graduation.
First year Principal Brendan Cusack hopes that next Wednesday’s (August 26) freshman orientation program will help set the stage for student success over the coming months. The orientation is meant to pave the way for a smooth transition from the middle school level and allow the teenagers to get off to a strong start when classes resume on Wednesday, September 2.
The one-day orientation program will see the freshmen and their parents greeted by Mr. Cusack, new Assistant Principals Joseph DiTroia and Gamal Smith and Superintendent James W. Polansky.
“The orientation is a great opportunity for the incoming freshmen to get the lay of the land, interact with their upper-class peers, become familiar with the guidance team and learn about the resources and offerings at the high school,” Mr. Cusack said. “I hope all of our freshmen and their parents can join us for the program.”
Parent-Teacher-Student Association leaders, freshman class officers, student council officials and faculty advisors will be on hand to meet with the teenagers. Representatives from the PTSA will make a brief presentation and encourage parents to join the organization and participate in its activities.
Over the course of two hours freshmen will spend time meeting with Huntington High School guidance counselors and student leaders and participate in a variety of activities. The freshmen will be able to tour through the building and be provided with an opportunity to locate their respective locker and try out the combination.
There will be sessions devoted to the extracurricular clubs and activities available to students and the role played by administrators and support staff as well as time devoted to meeting with peer mediators and role playing through some situations the teenagers might encounter.
While the newest high school students are involved in these activities their parents will meet with administrators for a discussion of the school’s academic opportunities and community service requirement, general school policies and procedures and “important things to know about the high school,” according to a schedule of events sent to parents. Administrators are also expected to participate in an extensive question and answer session with parents.
The high school’s annual picnic for incoming students and their parents will kick-off at 11:30 a.m. in the main courtyard. Mr. Cusack said the building’s entire faculty and paraprofessional staff is looking forward to working with the teenagers and expecting this to be an outstanding year.