Student Class of '26 To Be Welcomed In Ramapo Indian Hills Orientation

WYCKOFF, NJ — Incoming ninth graders into the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional School District will have the opportunity to meet school administrators and learn important information about the 2022-23 school year at freshman orientation this week, a letter from the schools said.

"We look forward to welcoming everyone to the community," the letters to students and parents said.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, 458 students from the communities of Wyckoff, Franklin Lakes and Oakland will learn about the regional school district's 1:1 laptop program and review school guidelines at Ramapo and Indian Hills High Schools.

All freshmen will be supplied with a district-owned laptop at the orientation, the letter said.

"(The orientation) offers an opportunity to establish norms, and acculturate the students from all three towns into one school," Superintendent Rui M. Dionisio said.

After the informational session, students will participate in an outreach program, which will include ice-breaker and team-building activities; a tour of the building; photos for a school ID card; and a meeting with the senior student ambassadors, who volunteer time to assist the new students in their entry to high school.

"The aspect of the (orientation) experience that is always a standout for me is that our senior ambassadors provide a transition service for our incoming ninth graders," Indian Hills High School Principal Gregory Vacca said.

Indian Hills is welcoming 143 freshmen to the school this year, and the senior ambassadors, Vacca said, will work with them throughout the year to help them acclimate to high school.

"The orientation experience," Vacca added, "is a great way for students to get an early start on forming meaningful connections with senior ambassadors and on navigating schedules as they move through the building."