Panther Camps Help Ease Transition into New Schools

August 2010

At the end of August, Monticello High School held its annual Panther Camp for incoming freshmen while Robert J. Kaiser Middle School’s Camp Panther was a warm welcome for incoming sixth graders.

These orientations provide students with practical information they will need once school begins, such as navigating through the buildings, finding lockers and classrooms, and learning important school rules and procedures. Students also get a chance to meet their new teachers and classmates, and talk with upperclassmen about what school is really like.

Each event featured a series of team building activities designed to help students meet new friends and build new relationships. Through the years, these gatherings have helped ease the stress and anxiety associated with this type of transition while also helping to establish an emotional and social connection between students and their new schools.

Photos MHS:
MHS upperclassmen volunteered to help welcome students, talk with them about their own high school experiences and answer any questions. From left, Catherine Dean and Amanda Castro were quick to volunteer for Panther Camp because they wanted to help the incoming students be prepared for the first day of school.

From left, MHS student volunteers Alanna Castro, Paxten Sanders and Brandon Walker were available to help students find their way around the high school building.

More than 100 incoming students gathered in the school’s auditorium for the Panther Camp orientation.

MHS ELA teacher Ann Hazelnis organized this year’s event with school Principal Arleene Siegel. Both welcomed the crowd of more than 100 students and encouraged them to “work and study hard, get involved in clubs and sports and enjoy their time in high school.”

Panther Camp was like a reunion for classmates and incoming freshmen, from left, Rayquan Robinson, Jordana Maraj, Heather Miller, Tara Madsen, John Doherty and Joseph Klein. According to the group of friends, they are all looking forward to entering high school.

Photos RJK:
Art teacher Tricia Cahalan welcomed students to Camp Panther’s carnival section. This included a variety of games such as the ring toss, cupcake walk, dart throw and ping pong toss. More than 180 students participated in this year’s event.

Most students expressed that they were a little nervous about entering the middle school, but seemed to feel better once they reconnected with their friends from elementary school. From left, Alanis Arriaga, Nya Jimenez and Taylor Culligan enjoyed playing games in the gym even though the outdoor activities had to be canceled due to rain.

William Waterton, right, was thrilled when they called I-19 because it gave him his winning bingo and a certificate for a prize. Although his competitors, from left, Chad Unger and Kaleigh Gibbons didn’t win, they still enjoyed playing the game!

RJK incoming sixth grader Christian Dima said he was having fun, meeting new people and enjoying the day. He looks forward to all the clubs and activities he’ll be able to participate in now that he’s at RJK, including the math team, football, chorus and the school play.

RJK eighth grader and honor student Ciera Phillips volunteered at this year’s Camp Panther carnival because she wanted to help the incoming students feel more comfortable about entering their new school. She really enjoyed Camp Panther when she attended two years ago and wanted to share that experience with others.

CLICK HERE to read this story in the Times Herald-Record, "Panther Camps help ease new-school jitters"