PECI Orientation Day and tips to survive the first week

Here it is, folks: the end of the summer and the start of what is going to be another great year at PECI! School starts Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 8:15 a.m.! Are you excited? All relaxed and ready to start learning? Whether your answers are yes or no, we are  happy to welcome you to another year of school – and another year at the “It’s a Panther Thing” Countylive.ca blog, run by your 2012-2013 Student’s Council Public Relations Officers.

Pati Kelemen

Hi, I’m Patricia (Pati) Kelemen, one of your public relations officers! You can come to either me or Claire if you need something like an event advertised. I’m also one of the Make Poverty History club’s co-presidents. I like to read, tutor math, and help with the yearbook. Places you can find me include: the library, room 130, one of the math rooms, the students council office, or running around the school somewhere, doing something for someone. I hope we can all make this year one to remember!

Claire Stenhouse

Hello everyone! Welcome to “It’s a Panther thing” My name is Claire Stenhouse , and I am starting my final year at PECI. This is my first year on students’ council. I’m on the Make Poverty History Team, and also enjoy being in PECI’s theatrical productions. I’m super pumped for this blog, and also to meet all you Grade 9s in September. If you need help with anything at PECI, I will be glad to help out 🙂

2012-2013 STUDENTS’ COUNCIL
Co-Presidents: Mikaela Stacey and Kurtis Brewster
Athletic Reps: Alyssa Carter & Melissa Paradis
Speaker of the House: Montana MacFarlane
Office Administrator: Sydnee Mulridge
Public Relations Officers: Patricia Kelemen & Claire Stenhouse
Arts Rep: Anna Koning-Nguyen
Spirit Co-ordinator: Montana Lamb
Grade Ten Rep: Elizabeth Forsyth
Grade Eleven Rep: Chloe Dick
Grade Twelve Rep: Victoria Bonnell
Student Senators: Shannon Langridge & Ryan McKenzie

PECI GRADE 9 ORIENTATION

Hello, Grade 9s!
If you are just starting out your first year at PECI, or you are a parent of a Grade 9, please remember that Wednesday, August 29th, is our Grade 9 Orientation Day. This day is extremely important and will include a tour of the school, and a chance for each student to purchase their student cards. Students will also receive their locks and timetables. The day will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. Mark this day on your calendars, everyone. See you there!

Pre-Registration for New Students
Also, students who are new to PECI and who are not yet registered for classes are invited to attend our pre-registration on Aug 27th from 12 – 4 pm and Aug. 28 from 8 – 4 pm.  This is only for students who are new to the area or who are hoping to come to PECI in the fall, but have not registered. If you attended a Grade 8 class in Prince Edward County, you are probably already registered.  All new students are invited for tours from 9 am to 2:30 pm on Aug. 29th.

2012-13 School Year Calendar The HPEDSB 2012-13 School Year Calendar is available online. Copies will be available in the school office in September.

The PECI website is http://edu.hpedsb.on.ca/peci/ .  Follow us on Twitter @PECI_News and like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/PECIPanthers

TIPS FOR FIRST YEAR

High school is an awesome place, but going into your first year can be very nerve-wracking. Here is a list of must-do’s for every freshman student, guaranteed to make your transition into high school easier and more fun.

1) Have an idea of where you will need to be
Your first day will probably be a little hectic, so it’s important to have a good idea of of the location of your classes/bathrooms/cafeteria, ahead of time. We have a link to the map of PECI on this page, and on the Student Orientation Day, you will have an opportunity to tour the school, and find all your classes so you can mark them down and plan out your routes. You will always be able to ask teachers and students for directions, but there will always be at least one student who will tell freshman the wrong directions for a prank, so it’s a good idea to know beforehand.
Also note the art wing: as you will be able to see on your maps, it is completely different from the second floor. If you have drama or art, make sure you know how to get there!

2) Come to class prepared
A binder for each of your four classes, pens and pencils, and other school supplies will help you keep organized in class. If you are unsure of your classes, remember to bring gym clothes and shoes! Also, an agenda will be given to you in class. THIS IS IMPORTANT. This agenda will help you remember basically everything. Use it. Keep it under your pillow at night. It will help you handle your classwork.

3) Be ready to learn
Even though for the most part your first day is more of an ‘introduction’ plenty of teachers will start teaching on the first day. You may find it hard to concentrate when there are so many new things happening, but it is important to keep up from the first day so you can stay on top of things.

4) Keep calm!
High school may seem pretty scary, but just remember that in a month, this place will feel like your second home. Make sure to take time out of your day to meet some new people and most importantly, have fun. Cliche, but it’s important, because high school is a fun place. Your years here will be memorable, and you will want to enjoy them.

5) Get involved
There is SO MUCH going on at our school, and getting involved in different clubs can introduce you to knew people, provide opportunities to have fun, and let you do things that you love. Some examples of different clubs we have at our school:

Sports:
Basketball
Soccer
Hockey
Golf
Swim
Rugby
Baseball

Make Poverty History
Diversity Club
White Pine Book Club
Improvisation
School Plays

These are just a few examples, as we have new clubs every year. We also have an abundance of different events that are lots of fun, like fashion shows, talent shows, coffee houses, and more!

Another great way to get involved is to join Student’s Council. Each homeroom will pick a class representative at the beginning of the year, and a Grade 9 rep will also be chosen later on.

If you’re interested in making a difference in your school community, make sure to get involved!

We hope these tips help! Here below are a few links we feel that every Grade 9 should check out:

Daily schedule (bell times): http://edu.hpedsb.on.ca/peci/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=391&Itemid=238
Map of PECI first floor: http://www.countylive.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/PECImap-firstfloor.jpg
Map of PECI second floor: http://www.countylive.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/PECImap-secondfloor.jpg

Events to mark on your calendar (More on these to come)
Grade 9 barbecue Fri Sept. 7 11:00am – 02:30pm
Grade 9 Meet the Teacher Night: Thursday, Sept. 13 5pm – 7pm

–Until next time
Your Public Relation Officers