Leah Manevitz, of Clifton, described her first day as “Awesome! I was super-nervous coming in, but then I said this is good – it’ll work. Bruriah made it easy to settle in.”.

Beginning a high school career with such a positive experience is every freshman’s dream. Other Bruriah freshmen echoed Manevitz’s sentiments. Gabi Roth, of Elizabeth, liked the scavenger hunt, meeting the new girls and the ice cream.

The scavenger hunt challenged freshmen to meet other girls in their grade and work together using QR codes to find clues. From start to finish, Bruriah’s freshman orientation was one for the chronicles!

Likewise, the orientation on the official first day of school was a veritable welcome-fest for students and teachers alike. The student government (G.O.), led by its president, Michal Herman, of Bergenfield, introduced the new school year with its theme “On the GO With G.O.” Hallways were lined with street and traffic signs and other colorful navigational markers to help kick off an inspiring and fulfilling year.

After the business of locker and classroom assignments was settled, the girls participated in a school-wide trivia game. Each girl had a solo with her remote. Says head teacher for tenth grade, Rivky Schwartz, “It was so awesome and amazing!!! The enthusiasm in the room was contagious. The energy in the room was palpable!!! Just a glimpse of the exciting year to come. It was dynamite!!”

Programming for the orientations was possible with help from many of the staff, faculty, students and administration. It was an ideal way to introduce Program Coordinator Dena Lichtman to the students.

The girls ended their first day by having lunch with their teachers. The gym was abuzz with students and teachers catching up with each other. Lichtman made sure each girl left after her first day with a planner and cool tote bag.