RIPON – For Anissa Sanchez, the registration period known as the “Ripon Pow Wow” on Monday was met with mixed blessings.

It was a sign that the summer break is almost over. Come next Tuesday at 7:50 a.m. sharp, she and her fellow Ripon High students head back to the class room.

“But I’m also looking forward (to the new school year) since it’s my senior year and I’ll get to be with all of my friends,” Sanchez said.

 She had no problem during the Pow Wow held in the Multi-Purpose Room, opting to go later rather than sooner for the first time in her four years at the school, saying: “it was quick and easy.”

About half the student body – an estimated 900 are enrolled at RHS for the 2012-13 school year – made it to the first of two Pow Wows. Another registration session is scheduled for today for sophomores and freshmen. The latter will meet with Link Crew leaders next Monday from 10 a.m. to noon for orientation.

During the Pow Wow, students took photos for their school identification card, turned in completed notification forms, purchased gym clothes, and paid any necessary fees.

“It’s a good process,” said Principal Lance Morrow. “It takes care of a lot of the paper work prior to that first day of school.”

Parents or guardians need not be present for this process. Students, however, had to make sure that forms for their emergency contact numbers were updated and signed.

For those who paid their fees online – included were yearbook, student body card, P.E. clothes, and transportation – the Pow Wow was a snap.

“All they did was dropped off their forms, took their ID photo, and went home with their class schedule and books in hand,” said Morrow, who is entering his fifth year at RHS.

He’s anticipating the next few days leading up to back-to-school to be busy. Morrow is grateful for the Pow Wow.

“It still makes for less work on our office staff,” he said.

For more information, call the RHS office at 209-599-4287.