People say first impressions are everything. In that case, how reliable can a student’s first impression of WHHS be when making judgments on the school?
With an intimidating size in both its building and its student body, WHHS can often incite nervousness within new students, for many, this doesn’t last long.
“If I could go back to my first day [now], I think I would try be less nervous,” Grace Sychay, ‘30, said
A new environment can be scary at any school, and WHHS is no exception. Drawing students from various elementary schools in the area, each new class of Effies brims with hundreds of students who have likely neither met nor even seen half of their peers.
“[The building] is big, and a little confusing,” Kate Williams, ‘30, said.
Due to the size of our buildings on campus, it can be easy to get lost. The many confusing hallways, notably in the health wing and theater department, can make getting to classes even harder for new students.
One thing that is unique to the Effie experience are core teacher “teams”. Each team consists of the same group of kids that travel together to their three core classes which include English, Latin I, and ancient world history.
“Having teams makes it easier to create new friendships,” Sychay said.
Another benefit of the teams is that teachers can communicate to each other about various things to avoid overwhelming new students.
“I like it, they know when and when to not give homework,” Sienna Miller, ‘30, said.
WHHS has many lockers, and every student gets the opportunity to choose their own locker. Since Effies have orientation activities over the summer, they have the first pick to choose their lockers, even before the school year starts.
“I use my locker but I would probably change it [if I could], every time we have a soccer game, I have to wait until 4th bell to go to my locker,” Williams said.
Some people choose not to use their locker at all. Whether it is because it’s in an inconvenient place, or they just don’t need it.
“I do not really use my locker, no reason to go to it, I don’t have enough time to go before lunch, but if I were to use it, I would change it to be down by the cafeteria since my study hall is down there,” Miller said.
After the first day, Effies may have some input about what they would change to make their first day a little better.
Effies are the newest class at WHHS and are thus going to be affected by the new district policy implementing Yondr pouches more than any other grade, as it could affect them for the entire rest of their time at WHHS .
“I don’t think we really need them because we already have the phone pouches/pockets in all the classrooms,” Williams said.
One of the biggest concerns for students and parents alike is the fact that communication will be more difficult. Students will not be able to use their phones during lunches or study hall.
“We should not have them, what if there is an emergency and we need to contact our parents,” Sychay said.