Courtesy photo.
SANTA MARIA — The masked and physically distanced PVHS “Link Crew” projected school spirit to create a temporary break from COVID-19, helping freshman receive their schedules, ID cards, tablets and textbooks Thursday and Friday.
The “Link Crew”, junior and senior leaders, greeted the majority of the more than 800 incoming freshmen offering an early welcome in an environment designed to alleviate the stress of starting a new school. The student’s leaders also gave each freshman a goodie bag with tablet trouble-shooting tips, zoom information, distance learning guidance, a pencil, other school information and a lollipop.
“We are still trying to welcome our new freshman class and ensure that their transition will be smooth even though it will start virtually,’’ said Panther “Link Crew” Advisor and Teacher Marcie Guerra.
The student leaders also plan to match-up with freshman as part of a mentoring process that continues throughout the year. That bond will be accomplished through social media, email and other means. The “Link Crew” started a dozen years ago.
The environment during the last few days was a little different from in the past. Typically, the new students were broken into groups, taken to classrooms where they played icebreaker games and participated in a campus tour dressed in quirky costumes. This year, the “Link Crew” made colorful and meaningful welcome signs for the Class of 2024.