August 29, 2014 at 4:38 p.m.
A crash course in life at RHS
A crash course in life at RHS
That was the message principal David Ditzler and his staff imparted Thursday to the incoming freshmen during the school's orientation celebration.
Orientation is held every year to introduce incoming freshman and new students to the halls of RHS.
"Orientation is horribly important because it starts the year off well. It gets the students acclimated to our building and our culture," Ditzler said.
"With all the energy and all the (liveliness), it's just a great way to kick off the year."
Ditzler said holding orientation before the start of the school year allows the freshmen to hit the ground running when the bell rings on Sept. 2.
"It gives us time to go over things just with freshmen, so we don't have to spend time on that during the first week of school, so they can get going right away on that first day of school," he said.
As the newest RHS Hodags walked through the door for orientation, they were met by a line of staff and student council representatives who cheered them on as they headed into the auditorium for their first high school assembly. School officials hope the positive energy from orientation transfers over to the first day of classes.
"We hope they feel the energy of being a part of the high school and that they know what they need to know to be ready for next week," Ditzler said.
Some of the new freshmen who talked to the River News said they were feeling a bit nervous about entering high school.
"I don't know, it's weird. I feel old," Kaela Rajkowski said. "I'm a little bit of both (nervous and excited). It's a lot to take in right away."
Others were feeling the same way, though they were trying to focus on the positives, such as classes or activities they're excited to participate in.
"I don't know, I guess I'm just excited to get out of middle school. Even though I've got four more years, I'm excited (to be a freshman)," Brian Hoople said.
"I'm looking forward to being able to take welding."
High school science teacher Cheryl Esslinger said that mixture of excitement and nervousness is to be expected at the beginning of the year. The fun part is watching these kids grow, she said.
"Sometimes you wonder if they're scared to death. They come in and we're all clapping and some of them look like, 'Oh my gosh, should we run away,' and others just go with it. It's fun to see them come in for the first time and to start getting to know them," she said.
"It's neat to see these young kids come in, and of course we get to see them grow so much. By the end of their first year, they're completely different kids because they've grown so much."
It's not just the kids who are excited to begin the year. Esslinger said the teachers are pretty pumped up as well.
"Every year is exciting getting started again. I think we're going to have a great year," Esslinger said.
"We've had a great couple of days getting ready with our principal, talking about new ideas and new ways to do things."
No matter how the kids are feeling as the first day of school looms, Superintendent Kelli Jacobi told the new students it's going to be a great year full of new experiences.
"You're going to have a lot of fun here," she told the kids.
"This is your opportunity where you get to experience new things, try new things and find out what your strengths are ... so have a great year."
School schedules
The School District of Rhinelander has released the 2014-'15 schedules for each school.
They are as follows:
• Rhinelander High School and Northwoods Community Secondary School - 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
• James Williams Middle School - 8 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.
• Central Intermediate School - 8 a.m. to 3:08 p.m.
• Pelican Elementary School - 8 a.m. to 2:58 p.m.
• Crescent Elementary School - 8 a.m. to 2:58 p.m.
• Northwoods Community Elementary School - 8 a.m. to 2:35 p.m.
Marcus Nesemann may be reached at [email protected].
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