Free Home Song by Lavyrle Spencer Page A

again and started the program.
    â€œI want to welcome all you new students to Hubert H. Humphrey High School, and to thank all of you old students who came today to act as partners. We really appreciate your help. To all of you who don’t know me . . . I’m Joan Berlatsky, one of the school counselors.” She introduced the rest of the faculty present, ending with Tom. “. . . And last, I want to introduce you all to Mr. Gardner, your principal, who’s here to officially welcome you this morning.”
    Chelsea watched her father move toward the front of the library and take the mike. She felt a radiant pride, as she did whenever she witnessed him performing his duties as principal. Though there were plenty of kids who called him names and wrote nasty things about him on the rest room walls, they were primarily the geeks, the druggies, the lawbreakers, the losers. Those in her circle pretty much agreed that her dad was a fair man, that he’d do anything he could for the students, and they liked him. And he hadn’t grown fat or sloppy like some middle-age people did. He was still trim, and he was a really neat dresser, though today he wore only a yellow polo shirt and tan chinos—to put the new kids at ease, she knew. She thought surely he must be succeeding as he stood with one hand in his trouser pocket and spoke into the mike with a pleasant expression on his face, letting his eyes scan the room.
    â€œWelcome, everyone. I’d guess there must be between fifty and sixty of you here who moved in from other districts and other states over the summer. I imagine you’re all wondering what our school is like, what it’ll be like for you coming here five days a week, and some of you a lot of evenings as well. This morning we’re here to answer your questions, show you your building, tell you about our academic andsports programs . . . give you a chance to get to know us a little and for us to get to know you.”
    Tom and others took turns filling in the new students on attendance policies, major activities of the year, lunch schedules, early-release forms, fire drills, study halls, student parking rules, and the sexual harassment policy. The coaches spoke about eligibility rules, the Minnesota State High School League, and the HHH sports program.
    After a question-and-answer period, Mrs. Berlatsky said, “We’re going to turn you loose now. Each of you here will be paired up with a student who’ll act as your personal guide and will give you a tour of the building. We’ve established the partner program to help new students feel less like newcomers and more like a part of the school community right from the first day. Your partner will help you not only today, but throughout your first month. Could I ask all those who volunteered as partners to stand, please?”
    Chelsea stood, glanced around at the others who’d risen to their feet, and discreetly wagged two fingers at some of Robby’s friends.
    Mrs. Berlatsky went on. “If all of you new students would pair up with one of the volunteers, we’ll let you get on with the school tour. Now, all you guides, remember to make sure you give them a copy of the student handbook, and take special time acquainting them with the media center, though it’ll be a little crowded if you all start here. So some of you go on out to other parts of the building first, then come back here.”
    Shuffling sounded in the room as students began rising. Tom took the microphone. “Kids, remember . . . Mrs. Altman’s and my doors are always open. We’re your principals, but that doesn’t mean we’re unreachable. Feel free to come to us or your counselor with any concerns, at any time. Now,enjoy your tour and we’ll see you bright and early on Tuesday morning.”
    When Kent Arens stood, Chelsea said, “Well, I know I’m not a senior, but I’ll be