Freshmen learn the
lay of the land
By John Loesing
Acorn Staff Writer

The registration lines were long and students invariably got assigned to the wrong classes––some even to the wrong school––but freshman orientation last week at Agoura High was made a little easier thanks to a group of upperclassmen who offered their services as freshman mentors.

About 30 sophomores, juniors and seniors came to campus on registration day to help new students learn the ropes. The mentors, who belong to a larger program called Peer Counselors, welcomed 586 freshmen, mostly from Lindero Canyon Middle School in Agoura Hills.

The transition from middle school to high school can be challenging, even scary. Classes are longer, days are longer, and guess what? Kids are bigger.

"Coming on this campus, it’s twice as big as middle school and twice as many people," said junior Kim Matthew, one of the mentors. "We try to put all that to rest."

When she was a freshman, Matthew said she had older siblings who gave her advice on what to expect, but many students aren’t so lucky. Fears include getting lost on campus and being hassled by upperclassmen, mainly the seniors.

"I was intimidated," said Jesse Stock, a mentor now in his junior year. "I was by myself, but about a week later it was all okay. I was actually psyched."

School officials hoped to turn senior attention away from the freshmen by inviting older students to a pancake breakfast before classes yesterday.

According to Erin Powell, an Agoura High counselor and the peer group director, each mentor was given the names of 20 freshmen to contact by telephone over the summer. The mentors invited the freshmen to meet with them near the school’s auditorium during the Aug. 22 registration.

After the freshmen got their schedules, ID pictures and locker assignments, they took tours of the campus with the mentors at their side. The new students learned how to find each classroom, the administration offices, the gym and the student store.

"I’m a little nervous. I think it’s going to be a lot tougher than middle school," said Andy Morris, a 14-year-old freshman.

"Walking into the wrong classroom. That’s one of their biggest fears," said Lauren Lohnberg, a senior.

The mentors told the freshman about clubs and activities, and discussed study skills and the expectations of teachers. They gave them a new pamphlet titled "How to Get Good Grades In Ten Easy Steps."

"Anything we can do to make it easier," Powell said. "That’s what it’s all about."

The freshmen at Oak Park High School received orientation also and a similar preview of what to expect the first year.

The 278 Oak Park freshmen obtained schedules, school materials and toured the campus. Oak Park High is only one block away from Medea Creek Middle School where most of the freshmen attended as eighth-graders.

Orientation for Westlake High School ninth graders and parents was also on Wed., Aug. 22 when parents and students quickly learned the severe parking problems that exist at the campus on Lakeview Canyon Road. Teens and parents were given tours of the campus.

The freshmen in all of the local school districts reported yesterday for their first day of classes, but they get an early break.

Everyone gets off next Mon., Sept. 3. It’s Labor Day.