Freshman Transition and 6th Period Leadership
Welcome New Bears
By Andy Stuart, Freshman Transition/6th Period Leadership

Reprint from the September 2007 TriVocis

Plans are already well underway to welcome our new M-A Bears, the Class of 2011! Student leaders of the Freshman Transition program and members of the Freshman Transition Leadership class (6th period) have been working hard to ensure that incoming freshmen and their families will feel welcomed and supported throughout their first year of high school at Menlo-Atherton. In fact, over 130 upperclassmen leaders will be meeting for two full days in August to plan and get ready to offer support to M-A's next incoming class. These leaders will meet with each freshman student to ensure they are acclimating and thriving in their new school.

The Freshman Transition program at M-A presents a unique opportunity for freshmen, and their families. The program's goal is simple: to help incoming 9th grade students become comfortable in the new and sometimes challenging high school environment and offer them support in a variety of aspects. Throughout the first semester, selected student leaders visit classrooms to work with freshman students, promoting communication, offering advice, and answering questions. Experience has shown that peer leadership is the most effective way to create a school environment in which all students feel accepted without judgment.

In addition, a leadership class was created at M-A specifically designed to support incoming freshmen. The Freshman Transition Leadership class, composed of 30 dedicated students leaders, plans and presents events that serve freshmen and their families. Mark your calendars! The 4th Annual Freshman Family Welcome Dinner will be Sept. 7, and the first Freshman Dance is the same evening. Along with the new Leadership class, the PTA provided funds to present Challenge Day to every freshman student. Challenge Day is an intensive one-day workshop that promotes compassion, communciation and community-building within a school. There are also several follow-up activities that build on the lessons learned in Challenge Day. The dates are October 29 or October 30.

In recent years, the M-A PTA has recognized the importance of embracing freshman students and their families. The Freshman Transition program, the Freshman Transition Leadership Class and Challenge Day are all programs that have had a tremendous positive impact on the social and academic environment at M-A. Menlo-Atherton is committed to continued work to build alliances and community spirit among its students and families.

On behalf of 9th grade teachers and counselors, the PTA, over 130 student Freshman Transition leaders and Principal Matthew Zito and his administrative team, we look forward to offering the class of 2011 a great first year of high school at Menlo-Atherton.

We are looking forward to a great year!