August is quickly approaching, and students everywhere are making the most of their summer breaks before they return to school for another year of classes. Although many students will return to the same classrooms they eagerly left at the end of the last academic year, high school freshmen will brave a new frontier on the first day of school as they walk through the doors.

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, Hempfield High School (HHS) will hold its first Step Up Day, an event that school administrators hope will make rising ninth-graders' transition to high school as smooth as possible. Step Up Day, which will take place the day before classes officially begin on Thursday, Aug. 22, will give freshmen an opportunity to become acquainted with their new environment, connect with classmates and meet staff members in the building. The day will follow an early dismissal schedule, beginning at 7:20 a.m. and ending at noon.

Step Up Day will begin with breakfast in the school cafeteria, followed by team-building exercises and other group activities to help build connections between peers. The freshmen will then receive their schedules for the upcoming semester, allowing them to locate their classrooms as they explore the building.

In the past, rising freshmen have had an opportunity to participate in a transition camp to familiarize themselves with the school, but students who did not have their own transportation to the campus were unable to attend. Step Up Day will include standard bus routes for all freshmen at the start and end of the day to ensure the entire class has access to the resources to make the first day of school less overwhelming.

"The transition from middle school to high school can be challenging for both students and parents," said ninth-grade principal Beth Becker. "Step Up Day affords us an opportunity to have all students get acclimated to the building, understand how the school day works and start the year together as a class." Becker added that the transition to HHS is particularly important due to it being the first time students from both of the school district's middle schools will come together as one class.

Students will be encouraged to explore various extracurriculars during their time at HHS, and information will be offered on the many ways they can enrich their experience over the next four years. "I think it's important to be a contributing member, but that looks different for every student," Becker said. "Whatever your niche is, figure out your passion and find students and teachers to connect with."

More information about Step Up Day will be available in August at http://www.hempfieldsd.org.