Incoming Grade 7 students got a first look at life at Ellenville Junior/Senior High School during Grade 7 Orientation on August 26. The event was designed to help students become familiar with their new school, connect with staff, and feel comfortable and confident as they prepare for the year ahead.
Throughout the orientation, students rotated through four interactive stations with staff members. They put their teamwork skills to the test with a cup-stacking challenge, wrote a “Letter to Myself” to be read again in the future, explored the question “What Does Great Look Like?” and joined Principal Kerri Galloway for a discussion about taking positive ownership of their education.
During their time with Galloway, students explored what disruption and avoidance can look like in school, how those behaviors can interfere with success, and how making positive choices can help them take greater responsibility for their own learning.
While students participated in their activities, families joined Galloway and Assistant Principal Kristen Heim for an informative session about what to expect in the years ahead. Topics included academic pathways, behavior expectations, student support, athletics, and the importance of building strong partnerships with teachers, administrators, and the school community.
Families also took part in a special tradition by writing a “Letter to My Senior.” The letters will be saved and returned to their children when they reach their senior year, giving families an opportunity to share their hopes, encouragement, and reflections at the beginning of this new chapter.
Later, students and families reunited to pick up student IDs and Yondr pouches, which will be used to safely store cell phones during the school day and help create a learning environment with fewer distractions.
Before heading home, students tackled one more important milestone of entering Grade 7: learning how to open their new lockers!
With orientation complete, Ellenville’s newest Junior/Senior High School students are one step closer to beginning an exciting new chapter. We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2032 back for a great school year!