With the start of a new school year, Bishop’s freshmen began their high school careers with a warm welcome from the entire school community. The Class of 2019’s first day of school on Thursday, August 20 was especially unique because it was a day set aside especially for them. For the rest of the student body, school did not begin until Friday, August 21, so the freshmen had the campus all to themselves… almost. Upperclassmen from Bishop’s ASB/student government and Ambassador programs were on hand to greet the freshmen, help them set up their lockers, and escort them to their classrooms. While the students were getting situated, the freshmen parents enjoyed a morning coffee and meet-and-greet in the Schneider Retreat Center, where they visited with fellow parents and members of BMHS’ faculty and administration.
Starting on August 24, during the Class of 2019’s first full week of classes, Bishop’s ASB members hosted a four-day “Frosh Mingle” in the Senior Lunch Area, Monday through Thursday at lunch. The group activity not only gave freshmen the opportunity to meet new classmates, it also helped take the dread out of having to eat lunch among possible strangers, or worse, alone. Director of 9th Grade Admissions Casey Dunn noted, “ASB started the Frosh Mingle a few years ago and it’s been a very successful way to help the freshmen make new friends and get to know each other.” During the lunch period, ASB officers played music and facilitated games that kept the freshmen busy and interacting. “It was very fun,” adds Dunn, “and I think it helped lessen their anxiety about freshman year and being the new kids on the block in high school.”
More welcome activities will continue during the month of September. On September 11, ASB hosts the “Welcome Frosh Dance,” a legendary kick-off event at Bishop Montgomery that Dunn says is often called “the biggest dance of the year.” With over 700 students expected to attend the Hawaiian-themed event, it will quickly indoctrinate the freshmen into the social fabric of BMHS. On Friday, September 18, Bishop’s Development and Admissions offices hosts the third annual “Freshmen Family Barbeque” on the school’s upper field. The event invites all freshmen and their families for a barbeque dinner, music, and games, while “providing more opportunity for the students and their families to get to know Bishop Montgomery,” says Assistant Director of Development Amy Traxler. “The barbeque has become a wonderful tradition at Bishop and is now something the families look forward to.” This year, immediately following the barbeque, the freshmen and their families can head to Knight Stadium to watch the varsity football team take on El Segundo in Bishop’s home opener at 7:00pm.