Shown in the photo, Babylon Junior-Senior High School Principal Robert Visbal assists incoming seventh grade students read their class schedules during the school's summer orientation. As the end of summer vacation approached, the incoming seventh-grade class at Babylon Junior-Senior High School began preparing for the next step in their academic journey - the start of junior high school. In an effort to make for a smooth transition and a successful start to the school year, the more than 140-member class and their parents visited the school in late August for the building's annual orientation program.

The event, which was conducted by the Principal Robert Visbal, Assistant Principal Steven Goldberg, and grade level guidance counselor Edward Augustine, provided a chance for the incoming students to test opening their lockers, take a walking tour of the building, and become familiar with some of the rules of the school. Items such as the breakfast program, access to computers and the rules to follow while operating a district computer, and the use of cell phones during school hours were just a few of the topics discussed.

Shown in the photo, during the Babylon Junior-Senior High School summer orientation program, the school's incoming seventh graders received a copy of the school's student handbook, a notebook they will use throughout the year to keep track of classroom assignments. "Your parents are in the auditorium and I am sure have just as many questions as you about entering seventh grade," stated Augustine, addressing the students. "There is no big secret to making it through your first year as junior high students....just follow the rules and you will be successful. I am here to help you through any bumps along the way and my door is always open if you need to talk."

While the students met with Principal Visbal, their parents put some of their concerns to ease as they listened to an overview of the school's expectations of the students, received a copy of the seventh-grade supply list and homework tip sheet, and watched a movie about the stages of development their children are about to embark upon as middle-level students.

Meeting back up with their parents, each student eagerly took a try at opening their locker for the first time and was happy to meet up with old friends and compare class schedules. Volunteer upperclassmen from the school's National Junior Honor Society chapter were on hand to answer any questions the students had and assist them in following their class schedules.