The pandemic has worsened back-to-school jitters for many students, but at Richards High School the beginning of the school year was made a little easier thanks to some Olympics-style games.
Teens were enjoying the breather on Monday at the school in Oak Lawn with basketball, spike ball, Frisbee and other games, while getting to know their fellow classmates and teachers.
This was the first year for “Bulldog Olympics,” the second day of a back-to-school orientation, where sophomore, juniors and seniors and staff showed incoming freshman some of the ropes and helped them get comfortable in their new surroundings.
“It’s pretty inclusive and we have a wide variety of different opportunities” said Abby Mallo, a senior from Oak Lawn who on Monday was helping to show freshmen how to play spike ball. “If it doesn’t stick, it’s just a way to meet more people and get more comfortable.”
The outing was also a way to get freshman familiar with the school.
“I feel like it’s hard for the kids to find something they like from just looking at posters,” said Julie Niemeyer, a junior, also from Oak Lawn, adding the event was a new experience for her too.
There was plenty of lounging too, but that was a way to get to know classmates too.
Principal Mike Jacobson said the event was meant to welcome students back and was especially important in view of the pandemic.
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“These kids need to look forward to something and it allows them to see the building and make new friends,” he said.
Richards High School senior Abby Mallo instructs other students about spike ball, one of the events Monday at the Bulldog Olympics orientation session for incoming freshmen at the school in Oak Lawn.
Several freshman said they were enjoying the chance to get used to their new school in a relaxed atmosphere.
“I really love the amount of sports here,” said Ricky Comacho, of Oak Lawn. “I like my teachers, students … everyone is nice here pretty much.”
“I think it’s a pretty good way to meet friends … in a pretty stress-free way,” added Emma Jasudowicz, of Oak Lawn. “I think Friday was more what I expected, I didn’t really anticipate us being outside.
“I’m glad for a change of pace.”
Friday was the first day of orientation and included the usual iPad set up, learning Google Classroom and other technical skills.
But this year Community High School District 218 added Monday’s welcome assembly, the athletic fair and icebreakers such as a scavenger hunt to help learn the school layout. The hunt included special stops, such as by the nurse’s office, where students needed to jot down when they might need to see a school nurse.
“A lot of them haven’t been in the classroom for 18 months, so there’s probably some anxiety,” said Deborah Swanson, math teacher and activities facilitator, who helped plan the day. “For freshman obviously it’s a big transition.
“Even when it was only one day for freshman, I said ‘cool’!”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.