Orientation picnic held for incoming Parma seventh graders to help reduce anxiety levels

PARMA, Ohio - Even though school does not start until Aug. 24 for Parma City School students, Greenbriar Middle School was a busy place Thursday.

An orientation picnic was held for incoming seventh graders. Nearly 250 students were able to walk the halls of their new building for the first time.  They were able to meet teachers, find classrooms and pick-up class schedules.

Fun and socialization were also part of the afternoon itinerary.

Students enjoyed team-building activities and bingo. They were also able to work with teachers on setting goals for the upcoming school year.  Students and parents shared conversation in the cafeteria while enjoying a pot luck picnic that included hot dogs, pasta salad and of course, brownies.

The goal of the gathering was to help reduce stress levels for both students and parents in advance of the first day of school.

"When they leave today they'll probably tell their parents, ' you know, I'm ready to start already,' " said principal Frank Spisak.  "They (parents) feel more at ease sending their kid the first day because they've seen the building."

Lisa Adkins felt the orientation picnic was great because it helped put her twin daughters Paige and Brooke more at ease.

"So this way on the first day they are not ambushed and lost and scared and hopefully not crying," Lisa said.

"Today made it better for me and not as nervous as I was," Brooke said.

"I just like it here now and I feel more comfortable than I ever did," Paige said.

The "new school building" experience gained will help these students in two years when they move on to their next new building, Valley Forge High School.