On March 19, a new group of students entered the Gabrielino High School campus—the incoming ninth-grade class.
Peer Helpers received the eighth graders to guide them on a campus tour, introducing them to places of importance at Gabrielino. They were able to see key spots of the Gabrielino campus such as the quad, senior quad, and speech and debate room.
“It’s a way of making [the eighth graders] feel more comfortable, and showing [Gabrielino] because I know that when I was going into junior high, you didn’t have a whole lot of opportunities to go to this new campus and it’s pretty intimidating,” Assistant Principal Kevin Murchie stated. “You invite everybody in and it just makes them feel welcome.”
The students were not only led on a campus tour but were also able to experience an assembly in the large gym.
In the gym, multiple extracurriculars and sports had booths set up and student representatives ready to talk to the incoming class. Eighth graders had the opportunity to learn more about the broad extracurricular offerings Gabrielino has and find something that matched their interests.
Multiple performing arts also showcased the talents of Gabrielino students. Choir, band, and dance all performed for the eighth graders.
The assembly, organized and run by ASB, was aimed to make JMS students’ first experience at Gabrielino a good one.
ASB President Jesus Gonzalez says, “JMS Day is really the very first view that JMS kids get of Gabrielino. So if you play your cards right, if you do your part, it can really make a lasting impact.”
While the eighth graders experienced a smooth and well-organized trip, it took lots of planning and coordination beforehand to ensure the best experience for the students.
Communication and coordination between administration, ASB, Peer Helping, and Jefferson Middle School were key in planning the event.
Gabrielino Assistant Principal Chanda Strom shares, “ASB kids do a lot of the prep for that particular day. Counselors prepare because they are looking [at] the next year, they create what we call packets that are in the ARIES master schedule so that kids can make their requests.”
The groundwork for the event requires substantial effort from all parties to certify an enjoyable first experience at Gabrielino for the eighth graders.
A thoroughly planned event ensured that the incoming class of 2029 had a memorable first experience at Gabrielino that would stick with them for their high school years.
