Drive-thru greeting for frosh
Greater Lowell Technical High School welcomed the incoming freshman class with a drivethru celebration last week.
Students were assigned alphabetically to one of four times, each one hour and fifteen minutes long, to visit the school.
“We are so excited to begin the school year with our new freshman class, and we wanted to show them a proper, warm, Gryphon-strong welcome,” Superintendent Jill Davis said. “A drive-through celebration allowed us to do that safely. I want to extend a special thank-you to Assistant Superintendent Principal Michael Barton, Senior
Assistant Principal Jamie Costa, Activities Coordinator Sharon Cornellier and all the administrators and teachers that volunteered. The pride in our academic and technical programs and what we do here for our students was very visible and amazing.”
Over the course of the day, about 450 students drove to the school with their parents or guardians. No in-person gathering was permitted on campus beyond established drive-through stops run by faculty and staff. Vehicles were guided through a route on the campus, and families were asked to stay in their vehicles at all times. The school building remained closed during the event.
Students, parents and guardians were also required to wear a mask should they need to speak to staff, and all staff and volunteers wore masks as well.
During the event, students had their student ID photo taken; dropped off medical documentation; received books and a school supply list from teachers; viewed exhibits from the district’s 23 technical programs and asked questions; picked up their Chromebooks; reviewed their schedule; met their school counselor and teachers; had an opportunity to sign up for fall sports and virtual activities; and received items including a class T-shirt, water bottle, two school logo masks, a school map and a “What all GLTHS Freshman Need to Know” guide booklet.
The district is following a hybrid learning plan this fall, during which each student will go to school in person one day a week and will learn remotely the remaining four days of the week. Students will maintain 6 feet from others in the building and will be required to wear a mask as well as wash hands and/or use hand sanitizer throughout the day. Mask breaks will be provided.