Orientation meetings for incoming seventh-graders and their parents were held Monday and Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the auditorium.
Various teachers were there to represent their departments. 
“I would definitely encourage them to take French,” world language teacher Sean Regan said. “It’s something they’ll have a great time with, and I think a majority of them are completely ready at that age.”
All students are required to have three consecutive years of the same language in order to meet graduation requirements, so most students start their language studies in middle school. Previously, Regan taught civics, which was an exclusively seventh-grade class. This year he teaches French one through four, which encompasses all grades.
“My French one class is about fifty-fifty between seven- and eighth-graders,” Regan said. “[At the orientation] there were several families who either were from France or were just interested in taking French next year.”
Middle School SGA President, Warrick F, opened the orientation meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Though he will not be in middle school when the seventh-graders start next year, he said he’s still willing to assist them when they arrive.
“I told them to always come to me if they need any help,” he said. “I always enjoy helping people.”
Warrick stayed throughout the orientation to answer questions about various clubs, including the theater program, which he is a part of.
“My advice to the new seventh-graders would be to get on the teachers’ good side,” he said. “It’s not worth it to make a joke and sound cool if it gets a teacher mad at you. Being friends with the teacher really helps, just with everything.”
By Delaney Gunnell