To help ease the anxiety of incoming students, East Peoria Community High School is transforming its freshmen orientation process this year.
Instead of the usual night of students and parents sitting and listening to faculty speak, the school is setting up a “booth-style” night Feb. 25 in the commons area.
“Teachers used to just stand up and explain their classes,” said school coordinator Julie Darko. “But we wanted it to be a little more hands on. We’ve never done this.”
During the evening, departments will set up booths and hand out packets of information, Darko said. Students will also be given information about sports clubs and other activities available at the school.
Principal Paul Whittington described the old process as “cold” and thinks the transformation will better fit their students.
“It’s an opportunity for parents and incoming students to ask questions,” he said. “(Students) come in with a lot of apprehensions. Whatever we can do in this process to ease that apprehension is what we’re trying to do. They’re going to see everything that makes up coming to high school.”
The high school will visit the three junior highs this week to hand out a booklet before the actual orientation night — also something the school has never tried, Darko said. They think it will better prepare the students.
They have also partnered with ICC for orientation, Darko said. The college has created portfolios that will give parents a four-year plan for their child.
Orientation was changed after receiving feedback from the community, Darko said.
“We’re trying to really listen and see what the community needs,” Darko said.
One of the things faculty learned was that the cafeteria procedure was overwhelming for many people. In response, they put together a separate informational packet. They will also conduct organized tours of the school, except areas in the new addition.
“The tours are not something new, but we’re going to try to make it more organized,” Darko said.
Both Darko and Whittington said they are excited about the new process and said they hope students and their parents will come with questions.
“We’re trying to bring more of a warm and fuzzy atmosphere,” Darko said.
Orientation will take place at 6:15 p.m., and students are asked to bring all of the information in the “Class of 2014 Welcome to EPCHS” booklet.
