Freshmen orientation starts today in the Manteca Unified School District.

Lathrop High will welcome newcomers to the school this morning beginning 8 a.m. in the small gym.

Leading the way will be the Link Crew Leaders, who are typically a mixture of upperclassmen on campus.

They’re available to help freshmen adjust to their new environment by incorporating team-building activities during that first-day introduction while provide ongoing mentorship throughout the school year.

Link Crew is a program designed to welcome and support incoming freshmen at they make the transition from elementary school to high school.

Sierra High and East Union High will conduct freshmen orientation on Friday.

Link Crew leaders will meet with the new pack of Timberwolves in the gym from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The Link Crew leaders at EU will engage the new Lancers in various activities coupled with a tour of the school – included is some of the new construction – from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

Construction is currently taking place at Manteca High.

“We are trying something different this year called Buffs Begin,” said longtime Link Crew advisor Mary Ann Tolbert.

The plan calls for freshmen-only to have orientation on the first day of school – Monday, Aug. 4 – from 8:40 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.

“We will begin in the New Gym with device exchange, name tags, pictures, etc. (along with) a brief rally-like experience, introduction to admin and then the leaders will take their group of students – approximately 15 frosh – to a classroom with two teachers,” said Tolbert.

Ninth graders will then receive their MHS expectations along with technology walk throughs, engagement ideas, information about sports, the Herd along with everything that’s part of the MHS proud tradition.

Following a tour of the school – at about 11:20 a.m. – each student will receive a frosh shirt right before lunch.

The upperclassmen will then arrive on campus during an abbreviated first through fourth periods.