By Rachel Kalina
The informal summer orientation at WHHS, held on Aug. 21, was designed to help students from both school districts grow comfortable with one another and with their new school. "We were looking to have the children from both districts' middle schools get together before school and get to know each other," said Island Park Superintendent Dr. Ed Price, "and we came up with the idea of the summer orientation."
"We want to get them to sense it's not 'Island Park' or 'West Hempstead,' it's 'us,'" said WHHS Assistant Principal Al Escobar. "They're [getting] acclimated to the high school, so when September comes they¹ll have a leg up."
Although the Island Park students had a formal orientation in April, this is the first year the August orientation involved both them and West Hempstead students on the same day.
Last year was the first time the West Hempstead district held an orientation that focused on socializing. Throughout the day, students in groups of 10 worked with leaders from the Athletes Helping Athletes organization and members of the student council. "We hope they get more comfortable in a high school situation," said Mike Scaturro, a phys. ed. teacher and coordinator of AHA. "We hope [the West Hempstead kids] will make more friends, particularly from the Island Park community."
AHA members visit elementary and middle school classrooms in both districts throughout the year to talk to their younger peers about such subjects as sportsmanship and avoiding drugs and alcohol. During orientation, these high school juniors and seniors led the younger students in icebreaking activities, answered their questions about which teachers were "cool" and helped them with schedule inquiries.
"I think it¹s a good way for kids to meet each other," said group leader Shannon DiMartino, a WHHS senior.
Samantha Berkowitz, from the Island Park school district, agreed with DiMartino. "It's a good way to meet new people," she said. "It's a help."
Although Angelica Villalba was already familiar with the high school layout from her many visits during her time at West Hempstead Middle School, she also thought it was a good idea to meet new people, and for the Island Park kids to get more comfortable. "They don't know the school," she said.
Price said that this type of orientation is particularly important for students with special needs. "Our director of people services meets with staff to ensure that there is a really good transition for these students," he said.
Both groups benefited during orientation, not only by getting their schedules and lockers and by meeting experienced high schoolers, but also by attended a presentation about achieving academic success. Called "Making It Count," the presentation was given by Ronald Sullivan, a pastor in Harlem who graduated from Hampton University. The class of 2010, comprising about 110 students, listened to Sullivan talk about setting goals during high school and maintaining them to get into college.
"It led to the point that what you put into it is what you'll get out of it," Price said of his talk. "You have to work."
Escobar was happy with the turnout, especially since students were taking time out of their precious summer vacation to attend the orientation. "Your decision to be here is very, very important," he said. "I applaud your decision to be here today."
"I think this whole process," Price said, "will make going to high school next week a lot easier for the students."
Joseph Kellard contributed to this story. Comments about it? JKellard@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
