“They’re going to be in a good place tomorrow,” said KU Principal Tony Swan on Tuesday, “because they will have already seen where all their classes are. ‘Cause there’s going to be 450 other people coming in here tomorrow (Wednesday).

Besides getting the school to themselves, freshmen also got in on some fun – participating in an assembly and games at Pel Court, a field day at Modoc Field, and a barbecue to round out the half-day.

Student leadership kept the mood light as they led students in school chants and games on Pel Court, which was repainted over the weekend.

“It gives them that hope that they need that, hey it’s going to be a great school year, that they’re going to have a lot of fun this year,” said Senior Rachel Moore, who was one of three students leading the orientation.

A new chapter

Jezzebelle Rowley, a junior, made sure freshmen knew where to find Pel Court to take part in the festivities. Rowley also used the time to read a book on the staircase of the newly renovated school, and praised the school she and others have been waiting for since they first heard of construction plans

“Before we would be reading in a cafeteria that’s so loud, and now I can just sit on the steps, or somewhere random, and read,” Rowley said.

“It definitely prepares students for a higher level of education, and I find that very helpful.”

Junior Katie Hartwell was among a number of upperclassmen who led freshmen on tours of the school. Hartwell remembers her own experience as an incoming Pel and remembers the first day orientation fondly.

“Being welcomed as a freshman by the upperclassmen … is really nice,” Hartwell said.

It helped her feel less nervous, she said, “like I wasn’t alone.”

Becoming Pelicans

And that’s the goal of the day, to make students feel like they belong. And not just for the day, but for as long as they are Pelicans.

“The whole goal is to get them excited for KU,” said Jacob McGonigle, another senior helping lead the orientation.

“It’s all about setting the tone for the year.

“It’s not just a one-day thing,” McGonigle added, but about making longterm connections with classmates.

“You feel like you’ve set them off on the right path.”

Swan, a proud principal, watched students taking part from the sidelines.

“I’m totally excited about this,” Swan said while students played games on the court. “I know some of these kids, I was their principal in elementary.”

Swan started at KU as a school counselor in the early 2000s, and later was a principal at Pelican Elementary.

“I’m a familiar face to some of them,” Swan said.

Social media

It’s not always an easy adjustment right away for freshmen coming in, who have to adjust to a new environment and new societal pressures, Swan said, even without a newly remodeled school.

He emphasized using social media wisely and sparingly to keep underclassmen from becoming more vulnerable to cyberbullying.

“My biggest concern is the use and abuse of social media,” Swan said.

“They’re very sensitive right now about how people see them and what people say about them.”

Counselor for freshmen and juniors Jenn Sedlock greeted students and let them know where her office was on the tour of the school.

“We’re trying to create a culture here of kindness and unity,” Sedlock said. “This is our house.”

To see pictures of the new school, and/or read the article along with others on the Herald and News website, please refer to the link below: 

Day 1 – Great Beginnings: Freshman Pels Get First Look at KU (H&N)