Foundational Practices for Building Freshman Connections

When building a house, the first thing constructed is the foundation, but before the first block is placed to create that solid base, much work has to be done to prepare the site, survey the land and excavate. The foundation is critical because it ensures the house is stable, safe and properly aligned. This process is much like the school counselor’s process for building freshman connections, and a perfect analogy to help students understand the importance of the freshman year.
 
Freshman year is the foundation year for high school students – it can positively or negatively impact future opportunities. The process of building their high school foundation requires students to leave a known environment and transition into a new building with new teachers, traditions and interpersonal dynamics. This transition is marked by significant social/emotional and academic challenges that make the role of the school counselor critical. Helping freshmen build a strong foundation begins with a positive and proactive communication and connection strategy.
 
Prepare the Site
The freshman transition is an anticipated one, which we can thoughtfully plan for through an informed lens. When preparing your site for new freshmen, collect data to help you tailor programming around their unique needs. The world is changing rapidly and freshman programming for the class of 2028 may not align exactly with the needs of future freshman programming. Timeless activities may include:

• Data collection (Learning Style, Career Cluster)
• Eighth-grade visit to the high school: tour, intro to programs/service, meet teachers, current freshman panel Q&A, peer mentors introduction
• Freshman Family Night: share data collected and programming that aligns with student interests and needs, and opportunities for parent and student involvement
• Fall Freshman Orientation Program: schedule walk through, locker troubleshooting, etc.

Survey the Land
Foundational practices for building freshman connections require data collection from staff, parents and students.

• Survey staff:  identify trends they are seeing with current freshman to help tailor freshman transition programming and SEL lessons
• Survey parents to identify family needs:
  • What type of parent events interest them?
  • Which small groups would they support for their students?
  • What are their communication preferences (method/frequency)?
  • Evaluate freshman family event
• Assess students:
  • Learning styles – ensure that they know how they learn best so they can maximize their academic potential
  • Career Clusters – ensure they know what a career cluster is and how their top career cluster aligns with course options. Course requests should align with their top career cluster.
  • Needs – What burning questions do they have? Which small groups most interest them?
  • Mindsets & Behaviors data – collect pre/post data for eighth-grade visit programming

Excavate
Now that the site is prepared and the data is collected it’s time to dig in and reflect. Questions to consider:

• What is your plan to stay connected with freshman families to build a strong partnership?
• What is your plan for consistent communication with freshmen?
  • Consider “Freshman Friday” – pop into freshman classes to check in, celebrate successes; implement Freshman Minute Meetings
• When will you teach your Tier 1 lessons?
  • Possible topics: emotional regulation, goal setting, study skills
  • Structure lessons with a Regulate, Relate, Reason pattern:
    • Regulate: Begin with a grounding activity (breathing exercises)
    • Relate: Build a connection (group discussion on guided questions)
      Example: "How do you feel when you achieve something you’ve worked hard for?"
    • Reason: Move into cognitive tasks (define key terms, set SMART goals)
• Which small groups will you offer? Let your data guide you.
• What is your plan to ensure that interventions are culturally responsive and inclusive?
• What is your plan to assess freshman involvement in activities and athletics?
• What is your plan for monitoring freshman academic performance, attendance, and behavior data?
• How will you share your freshman programming data?

Foundational practices for building freshman connections go beyond presenting a blueprint for success. It’s about supporting them as they navigate the unknown by providing a predictable, safe environment and a properly aligned path. By cultivating a welcoming environment, offering consistent support to students and families, and addressing identified needs through data-informed practices, school counselors play a vital role in helping freshmen build a strong foundation and unlock their greatest potential.
 
Contact Franciene Sabens, M.S. Ed., LPC, NCC, a school counselor at Herrin High School in Herrin, Ill., at francienesabens@gmail.com.