Making the Transition
Washington Township High School Guidance Department Hosts Annual Freshman Transition Camp
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – Many students in the Washington Township High School Class of 2021 are getting an early start on learning the ins and outs of being a high school student in one of the largest districts in South Jersey. The WTHS guidance department is hosting its 16th annual Freshman Transition Camp this week. The camp began on Monday and runs through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day.
The Freshman Transition Camp began in 2002 under the direction of guidance counselors Judy Nelson, Jim DiGennaro and Andra Williams. That year, fewer than 50 rising freshmen took part in the program. On Monday, more than 300 students started the camp – well more than half the class – assisted by more than 30 upperclassmen serving as camp counselors. Ten school counselors and teachers are helping run the program.
The program involves many activities, both in and out of the classroom. But no matter the locale, the focus is on showing the new high school students that, although WTHS is a huge building with nearly 3,000 students, the school still can provide a sense of community. The camp is centered on interaction and meeting new classmates, and there are just as many group icebreakers as there are classroom sessions on time management and studying habits. Tuesday featured a scavenger hunt, taking the soon-to-be freshmen throughout the entire building. On Wednesday, the students learned about locker protocol, the school website, and had a chance to attempt the “Ultimate Horrible Schedule” challenge. The worst-case-scenario schedule had students traveling three times from one side of the building to the other, never having two classes in the same hallways or pod, and never being in the 11/12 wing for two consecutive periods.
The incoming freshmen had a chance to meet their new assistant principal, George Passante, who spoke to the crowd as one of his first duties in his new role on Wednesday. WTHS graduate Ryan Francisco served as guest speaker, stressing the importance of getting to know new people.
Throughout the week, the students have the opportunity to register and pick up their laptop computers as part of the high school’s one-to-one initiative that continues this fall. The freshmen will get to keep those laptops throughout their career at WTHS.
- WTPS -