Post by title1parent on Sept 3, 2008 5:11:54 GMT -5
Yorkville opened its own Freshman Campus...
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1141348,2_1_AU03_ACADEMY_S1.article
Freshmen flood Yorkville's new High School Academy
September 3, 2008
By ROWENA VERGARA rvergara@scn1.com
YORKVILLE -- In their first few hours of high school, freshmen packed a gymnasium and roared as loud as they could during a pep rally.
They charged through the halls with their heads held high, smiling, laughing and sometimes barricading paths in groups of four or five.
It's safe to say that this wasn't the usual first day of high school for the 370 or so freshmen at Yorkville High School, or possibly for any high school freshmen for that matter.
But then again, this isn't the typical high school set-up, where freshmen roam the same halls and eat in the same cafeteria as upperclassmen. Starting today, the Yorkville High School freshmen class will be housed in the former middle school, separating them from the main campus across the street, except in the case of some advanced placement students.
On Tuesday, freshmen attended an orientation to get acquainted with the building and practice their schedule of 10 periods a day for 45 minutes at a time.
It's the same building from which the majority of incoming freshmen graduated eighth grade. Except now it's called Yorkville High School Academy, a freshman-only building that "will change the face of education for freshmen" in the area, a school administrator said during Tuesday's rally.
While that may be true, some freshmen, like Erica Wyeth of Yorkville, have focused on other things.
"I'm still excited, but I'm a little disappointed. I know where all the classes are. It looks exactly the same," said Wyeth, who was looking forward to leaving her middle school building behind.
"I had the same locker just down the hall," the curly-haired, freckled teen said.
But the academy is equally new to its teachers and most administrators, like Tony Robbins, a science teacher who had already taught for eight years in the high school, but was asked to teach at the academy.
"I felt just like you did. I've been there, done that and I didn't want to go back. ... But everyone here is wondering what you're going to do. Make your mark here in this building," Robbins said at the rally.
Administrators say the academy will focus on career development, study skills, and social and emotional health issues. And their peers -- the juniors and seniors -- are happy to help them succeed.
"This is probably a lot better for them," senior Lionel Morris said.
"We'll see them at the assemblies and at the games. We want to help them out and make them feel welcome, too," said Morris, who was helping facilitate the orientation with other upperclassmen.
Classes for all high school students officially start today.
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1141348,2_1_AU03_ACADEMY_S1.article
Freshmen flood Yorkville's new High School Academy
September 3, 2008
By ROWENA VERGARA rvergara@scn1.com
YORKVILLE -- In their first few hours of high school, freshmen packed a gymnasium and roared as loud as they could during a pep rally.
They charged through the halls with their heads held high, smiling, laughing and sometimes barricading paths in groups of four or five.
It's safe to say that this wasn't the usual first day of high school for the 370 or so freshmen at Yorkville High School, or possibly for any high school freshmen for that matter.
But then again, this isn't the typical high school set-up, where freshmen roam the same halls and eat in the same cafeteria as upperclassmen. Starting today, the Yorkville High School freshmen class will be housed in the former middle school, separating them from the main campus across the street, except in the case of some advanced placement students.
On Tuesday, freshmen attended an orientation to get acquainted with the building and practice their schedule of 10 periods a day for 45 minutes at a time.
It's the same building from which the majority of incoming freshmen graduated eighth grade. Except now it's called Yorkville High School Academy, a freshman-only building that "will change the face of education for freshmen" in the area, a school administrator said during Tuesday's rally.
While that may be true, some freshmen, like Erica Wyeth of Yorkville, have focused on other things.
"I'm still excited, but I'm a little disappointed. I know where all the classes are. It looks exactly the same," said Wyeth, who was looking forward to leaving her middle school building behind.
"I had the same locker just down the hall," the curly-haired, freckled teen said.
But the academy is equally new to its teachers and most administrators, like Tony Robbins, a science teacher who had already taught for eight years in the high school, but was asked to teach at the academy.
"I felt just like you did. I've been there, done that and I didn't want to go back. ... But everyone here is wondering what you're going to do. Make your mark here in this building," Robbins said at the rally.
Administrators say the academy will focus on career development, study skills, and social and emotional health issues. And their peers -- the juniors and seniors -- are happy to help them succeed.
"This is probably a lot better for them," senior Lionel Morris said.
"We'll see them at the assemblies and at the games. We want to help them out and make them feel welcome, too," said Morris, who was helping facilitate the orientation with other upperclassmen.
Classes for all high school students officially start today.