Sydney Wolf – Editor

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – As summer comes to an end, anxious freshman and new students flooded the LRHS campus for orientation at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Aug 19. Students got the scoop on how The Ranch runs.

Several staff members gave the approximately 1300 parents and students information about activities that take place during the school day and after. In the cafeteria, after school activities and clubs were represented by students.

Principal Craig Little started the night off by welcoming everyone to the LRHS campus. He encouraged students by quoting a successful graduate.

“High school should not be the best four years of your life.” Little reiterated that students should work hard and treat these four years are the most important. He also stressed students’ grades, stating “You will all walk into this school on Monday with a 4.0 GPA… keep it that way.”

Assistant Principal Mike Mullen emphasized the importance of dress code.

“Students, please follow the dress code not only at the beginning of the year, but throughout the year,” he said. “Dress appropriately or we will be forced to take disciplinary action.”

He also asked that parents hug their students right then, because Monday morning in the drop-off line, there just won’t be any time for that.

Assistant Principal Dr. Melinda Lundy reviewed first day procedures with students. Every student has been assigned a homeroom based on their grade level and last name. This is where students will go Monday morning to receive their schedules for the year and learn a little more about the daily routine. She emphasized that parents are not allowed to drop off items such as food, forgotten homework or field trip permission slips during the school day under any circumstance.

Assistant Principal Valencia Lowen discussed lunch procedures. On Monday, students will be going to all seven class periods. Lunch will be served during 5^th period, in three different sessions (A, B, and C) starting at 10:40 a.m. and ending 12:45 p.m.

“Lunch will be very busy and packed the first few days of school, so be sure to pack a snack,” she said. The full bell schedule for Monday can be found on the home page of the LRHS website.

School nurse Andrea Stratton discussed clinic policies. Teachers and staff are not allowed to provide any kind medication for students. Students are also not allowed to have medication on their person. If a student needs a medication at school, parents are required to obtain a doctor’s note and bring the note and the medication to the clinic.  The same rules apply during overnight or weekend field trips.

Athletic and Activities Director Shawn Trent emphasized the importance of being active in athletics.

He proudly announced, “This school has won the state Academic-Athletic Award five years in a row.” This award is special to the LRHS family because it represents that our teams have the highest aggregate athletic GPA.

Each presenter shared one common piece of advice. Starting the first day, and every day after that, students should be prepared for success and each staff member is at their disposal to help them do so.

Students will be required to carry their IDs at all times. Students will be scheduled to obtain IDs during the school day or during all lunches.