(Takoma Park, Md. – August 6) – School starts really early if you’re an incoming freshman or a transfer sophomore at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School and Corporate Work Study Program in Takoma Park. The school’s new students reported for their three-week orientation program, called Bridge for Success, on Monday, July 30.
DBCR is welcoming 123 freshmen and 4 transferring sophomores this summer, with a majority of girls (69 of them, 58 boys).
The orientation program, absolutely required of all incoming students, teaches the newcomers what’s expected of a DBCR student academically and behaviorally while they learn effective habits to be successful in the classroom, the workplace, and life.
Students learn the importance of coming to school or work on time, how to use the Washington area’s metro system, how to dress professionally, how to greet people, how to answer the telephone, how to file, keyboarding and use of computers, DBCR’s basic rules of conduct, and much more.
For example, on August 6 they spent most of their day with Ray Green, an executive at Chick-Fil-A who’s contracted by the U.S. Department of Labor (one of DBCR’s corporate work sponsors for many years) to instruct students about workplace issues such as safety, hygiene, sexual harassment, responsible use of computers and phones, etc.
Bridge for Success is coordinated by interim principal Elias Blanco, Corporate Work Study director Ana Chapa, and Raquel Rodriguez. Numerous other faculty, staff, alumni, and current students lead or assist with various aspects of the program.