‘You have to start fast’: Volunteers help freshmen learn all about Gateway High School

Think back to your first day of high school, wondering how you were going to find your way through those long hallways to get to all of your classes on time.

Gateway has a remedy for that.

A couple of weeks in advance of the Aug. 24 start date, incoming ninth-graders were invited to participate in an orientation, with the added bonus of having students in higher grade levels guide them on tours of the expansive building.

While learning what is located where, the soon-to-be freshmen heard plenty of pointers from the 30 volunteers for orientation.

“A lot of them had a really positive — or in some cases, even a negative — experience when they were first coming here,” Joseph Rosi, high school assistant principal, said. “And they wanted to share and be able to explain to their schoolmates that there are really interesting things that happen at the high school that they may not have thought about.”

He stressed the educational aspect of the older students’ participation.

“Teaching them leadership and social skills, and the ability to work with other kids, will translate to whatever it is they want to do,” he said. “So it’s a benefit not just for the freshmen who are coming in here to learn about the building, but the kids who volunteered their time to help.”

The morning orientation began with a presentation in the school auditorium, led by Principal Justin Stephans, who discussed what the new students should expect, including regulated use of electronic devices.

“We allow them. Go into a classroom, you’ll put them up on the wall,” he said about collection receptacles mounted in each room. “Then you’ll get them as you walk out of the class.”

He reviewed the many clubs and athletic endeavors offered at the high school.

“I encourage you to please participate. You’ll make the school district better. You’ll make the environment better, and you’ll do better for yourself,” Stephans said. “Statistics say when you’re involved and have to manage your time, you’re more successful — if you want to be successful.”

Counselor Kurt Martin emphasized the importance of academic achievement throughout the entirety of high school.

“You have to start fast. Your acceptance into a college, university or technical school is going to be based on your freshman year,” he said, to go along with transcript information for subsequent grade levels.

Following their building tours, freshmen received the Chromebook laptop computers that they’ll use, barring breakage, until they’re seniors.

The technological aspect is a major component of today’s education.

“We’re always looking at it over the summer, what new programs or software we can use,” Rosi said, “and how we can help kids access learning the best that we can.”