Foran High School Freshman Orientation

Foran High School incoming freshmen made their way through a thunder storm to attend orientation starting at 2:30 Thursday.

The recent expansion of the building was a topic of conversation among many. Isabella DeConne and her mother Tina DeConne were among the early arrivals. Isabella, a dancer, will attend ECA in New Haven for part of the day but will be at Foran for her academic classes.

“Natural Helpers” wearing their navy blue polo shirts, were friendly and helpful as questions were thrown at them.

Students were divided into two groups, Red and Blue, depending on the first letter of their last name. One group went to the Auditorium (“How do I get there?”) and the other to the Media Center (“Where is it?”) Aaron Lynn, George Ruse and Tim Orozco had to ask directions, but they found their way to the Media Center. Natural Helper Adam LaRocca said he was “glad to be back on a schedule,” although the summer went by too fast.

Freshman Chase Klein was in the auditorium with three friends from East Shore Middle School. The boys predicted it would take about a week to find their way around the school. Asked how he expected high school to be different from middle school, Klein said he expects “more responsibility and accountability.”

Jaques Benoit is trying out for the soccer team. As an experienced goalie, he hopes to make it.

“Good goalies are hard to come by,” his mother, Tara Benoit said.

Zoe Grinder was comparing schedules with her friend Yasmin Figueira. They first met last year at Harborside Middle School. Yasmin has been in this country for only six months, and, although her native language is Portuguese, she is doing well with her English.

Once the program  got started, students were introduced to Principal John Barile, who spoke briefly about what they can expect at Foran. The emphasis was on the school’s commitment to bring each student to his or her personal best.

Tours, conducted by Natural Helpers, followed a photo session where student sat for photo ID pictures.

Following an inviting dinner spread (600 sandwiches) donated by Subway, including sandwiches, chips and cookies, students and their parents attended a presentation by the Milford Prevention Council.