Fresh Focus

Yes, I realize it isn’t January but ever since I was a very young child, September has always signified the beginning of the year.  New notebooks, pens, grocery bag book covers, and in my house it was always the time of year when I would get new shoes.  Ugly new shoes that would last forever!

But seriously, I want to welcome all the incoming ninth graders to Massabesic High School’s Freshman Academy.  The Cadillac, Sugarloaf and Katahdin teams are ready for an exciting new year.  Some important things to remember before we begin:

1. If you are in an Honors English class, you still have a little bit of time to go to the library and read one of the books on the book list before the first day of school.  You are not expected to memorize the book but you should be able to discuss the plot with your class.

2. The first day of school is September 1st.  When you get off the bus at the high school, head over to the East building, a.k.a. the “old junior high”.  In the lobby will be a list of students’ names and their homerooms.   Freshmen will spend the entire day with their advisor on Tuesday, as they go through freshman orientation.  On Wednesday, September 2nd, you will actually be attending the classes you have scheduled for that day.

3. For the first day, I suggest having something to write with, something to write on, and either a bag lunch or lunch money.

4. This is the most important thing to remember:  everyone who is entering Freshmen Academy is starting a brand new, important page in their life story.  You will have opportunities to try new activities.  Studies show that students who get involved in school are the happiest students.  You will be asked to take more and more responsibility for your choices and that may sometimes require you to make some tough decisions.  If you are struggling with a decision remember the wise advice of Mr. Morin, your assistant principal:

i.  Do the right thing.

ii.  Always do the right thing.

iii.  If you don’t know what the right thing is, ask a trusted adult.

Your team teachers will have the opportunity to know you very well over the course of the year.  I also hope that you will come by my office just off the Student Center to say hello or ask for help if you have any questions.  Together we can all work to truly make this a year to remember.