Summer Gatherings Help Students Ease into School

It can be very stressful for students transitioning from elementary school to middle school and from middle school to high school. That is why administrators at Monticello High School and Robert J. Kaiser Middle School designed a day-long camp event for incoming ninth-graders and sixth-graders, respectively.

The camps are a way of welcoming students to their new schools by familiarizing them with the layout of the school buildings. Held at the end of August, the events are filled with interactive games, team building activities and down-to-earth conversations with upperclassmen. They are also designed to help students connect with their classmates - this helps ease the anxiety many feel on the first day of school.


# 1: Monticello High School upperclassmen, from left, Alanna Castro, Joseph Strong, Katie Walker and Brittney Bradley, demonstrate “The Cube” challenge. The four volunteered their time to welcome the incoming freshman to their school. According to Joseph, at first, some of the new students were reluctant to participate in the activities, but once the games began, everyone was laughing and having fun.

# 2: From left, incoming Monticello High School ninth-graders Albert Toro, Shamar Soter and Jacob Martin simultaneously navigate “The Web” during a team building exercise at the school’s Panther Camp.

# 3: Robert J. Kaiser Principal Deborah Wood personally welcomed incoming sixth grader Daniella Bodden to her school during the recent Camp Panther event. Part of the day was filled with carnival-type events where students could win tickets that were redeemable for prizes. Also pictured are, from left, Jesse Conklin and Jonathan Pennell.

# 4: Community member Rebekah Wilhelm volunteered to help with the RJK Camp Panther event by setting up a “Fortune Telling” booth and providing students with motivational readings. From left, incoming sixth-graders Tione Lane and Jahdeja Richards were each told by the mystic that they were born winners and if they followed up and followed through, they would find success. Also pictured is RJK Middle School Assistant Principal Dr. Jason Doyle.

CLICK HERE to view a photo array of the Panther Camp and Camp Panther events.