Aug 14, 2013 4 min read

CARMICHAELS – The Class of 2019 in the Carmichaels Area School District was given a crash course Wednesday in what to expect on the first day of junior high Aug. 26.

Among other things covered during the annual seventh-grade orientation, the staff at Carmichaels dispelled horror stories shared by older siblings and friends.

Spending time stuck in lockers is a favorite myth of Carmichaels Assistant Principal Dave Bates.

“I assure you there has never been someone stuck in a locker and if they were, we got them out,” Bates said with some levity.

Bates told the students they are not alone in the transition from elementary school to junior high. He told them help is everywhere; they just need to speak up.

Even the director of maintenance, Dave Franks, spoke to the students and parents in attendance, noting he is the man behind the scenes who makes sure, “chairs are there when you need them, the lights are on and the air conditioning is on.” New to the position, Franks said he and his staff are excited for the new school year.

District security officer and Carmichaels Borough Police Chief Mike Gyurke addressed attendance policies, student safety and what happens if certain rules are broken.

“We want you here. We do our best to keep everything interesting for you to learn and to have fun when we can. For you to move on and have a career you have to be here,” Gyurke told the students.

He added the district has an open-door policy to law enforcement and the mock drills they conduct after hours are essential to prepare for possible emergency situations.

“We welcome them. We can’t do enough to let you know the kids are going to be safe here. They (law enforcement) are a presence here. They want to be seen,” he said. “We want you to learn not to be afraid of the police and to let me know or the office know if you see something suspicious.”

Something students may not equate to a safety issue is being on time for homeroom, Gyurke said.

He reinforced that being in homeroom by 7:47 a.m. will keep a teacher from marking someone absent. If that happens, should a fire break out, for instance, that student’s safety could be in jeopardy by not being on the rolls as present for the day, he said.

When it came to the subject of bullying, Gyurke told students they have to let someone know it is happening and they can’t wait. Gyurke said bullying isn’t always clear to someone watching. Some students may smile out of nervousness in a situation, he said, and it is mistaken for a friendly, joking exchange.

Bates added that “bullying” is the one word that he hates most in the English language.

“It incenses me. I was bullied as a kid and I know what it’s like. I can’t help you if I don’t know about it,” Bates said, adding that students should never assume nothing will be done to help them.

Other subjects covered were the rules on prescription medication and the dress code. To help the students and parents remember everything, they received an informational folder.

Finally, the new class was set free inside the junior and senior high to test their locker combinations and locate classrooms. The varsity cheerleaders served as volunteers to point students in the right direction and offer tips on how to finesse locker locks.

Junior McKenna Greene remembered when she was in her brother Ethan’s shoes not so long ago.

She said she told him she will be there if he needs her, but Ethan said he has it under control.

“I’m exited to have a locker,” Ethan said, noting elementary students do not get them.

Looking over his schedule, big sister had one piece of advice. She told him to make sure he brought his history book to the cafeteria because right after that he can go straight to history class without having to go back to his locker.

Continuing on, students made their way to their respective homerooms and the homeroom teachers were in place to greet students and answer any final questions.

Principal John Menhart said these students have no idea how much their lives changed when they walked across the parking lot and into the junior high.

“Do one thing for me, do your best,” Menhart said, to the class of 2019.

“If sports are your thing, play sports. If it is music, get in the band or get in the chorus – participate, Before you know it, I’ll be talking to you as seniors. That’s how fast it goes.”