SOUTH BRUNSWICK: SBHS ready for new year

By Maria Riegel, Special Writer
   The incoming freshman class will be welcomed with open arms to South Brunswick High School their first day, according to SBHS Interim Principal Peter Varela.
   ”Freshmen students will find warm, friendly and understanding faculty and staff on their first day, ready to assist them,” Mr. Varela said.
   According to Mr. Varela, several programs are offered to freshman that will help them transition to high school smoothly.
   He said PEER Leadership is a prominent program for freshman where a limited amount of seniors are selected to mentor freshman students in order to make them feel comfortable and welcome.
   The HITOPS program is a seniors-only class that provides a presentation to each grade level that educates them on different aspects of sexual education.
   Excel is also offered, which is a program geared for students that may need extra academic help. The Homework Help Center is available to all students after school until 5 p.m., where National Honor Society student tutors are available for students that may need academic assistance.
   The B.R.I.D.G.E. Center is also a useful tool for freshman students who may feel overwhelmed with the transition from middle school to high school. In the B.R.I.D.G.E. Center there is a freshman transition counselor available.
   There are also math resource teachers available in the annex library during all Help and Access Periods that students can go to if they need additional math help.
   Guidance counselors as well as the deans and assistant principals are also available to all students throughout the school day.
   ”It is important for the freshman to understand the expectations that we have at SBHS as far as striving to do his or her best,” Mr. Varela said.
   Students should be prepared to be challenged academically and expect a heavy workload according to Mr. Varela.
   Mr. Varela said that on the first day of school students should be prepared to go to their assigned orientation room and experience a full “A-Day” class schedule.
   He said that freshman will have the opportunity to walk SBHS’ halls, bridges, and eat lunch in the freshman cafeteria.
   Students should have their summer assignments completed for the first day of school according to Mr. Varela. Summer assignments are required in all standard English classes, select math classes and electives classes.
   ”I think we’re doing a much better job with sharing our academic expectations to the students in the spring to prepare them for the rigor of courses the following year,” Mr. Varela said.
   Seniors are allowed to drive and park in the on campus senior parking lot without a parking hang tag until Sept. 20, according to Mr. Varela.
   Seniors, however, must submit the parking application with the required information to the main office by Sept. 7 in order to be considered to receive a parking hang tag for the rest of the year.
   A list of approved seniors will be posted outside the third level grade office on Sept. 11. When the online payment of $12 for the parking hang tag is paid online, seniors will be able to receive their hang tag on Sept. 19.
   In order to be considered for a parking hang tag, requirements must be met according to Mr. Varela. The senior parking application is available on the high school website under ‘2012-2013 Back to School Information.’
   Mr. Varela also said that there is a new traffic pattern for parents dropping off students in the mornings.
   He said that change has been made because of the safety of pedestrians, drivers and also due to an accident that occurred last year that injured a sophomore.
   For more information on the new traffic pattern, see the back to school parent newsletter on the back to school website.
   All required forms for the upcoming school year can also be found on the high school website under ‘2012-2013 Back to School Information.’
   Mr. Varela said that as the interim principal for the upcoming school year, he plans to continue some of the ideas previous SBHS Principal Tim Matheney had, but also plans to expand with his own new ideas.
   Mr. Varela said that in Mr. Matheney’s eight years he had the opportunity to work closely with him and witness some of the great ideas he implemented.
   ”I want to develop closer relationships with all of our stakeholders, staff, students, faculty, and parents,” Mr. Varela said. “I believe in developing a vision for the high school and make sure all members of the school community have an input.”
   Mr. Varela said he wants to welcome new ideas and programs to SBHS that will help improve the community.
   ”I’m excited about this opportunity,” Mr. Varela said. “This is a great high school and a great school district and I am proud to be the interim principal. I know if we work together as a team we can accomplish anything.”