To welcome 15 new high school students, Tiger Ambassadors hosted a pizza party in the atrium on Aug. 26. The team provided pizza, chicken, and muffins as students gathered around tables. Eight Tiger Ambassadors attended the event, helping new students adjust to the SIS community.

For many students, entering a new school means facing both academic and social adjustments. Building friendships, understanding the SIS culture, and figuring out how to balance workload are all parts of the transition that can feel intimidating.

“I came from a IB school where the system of education was different, so I struggled getting used to the AP system like how the assignments get graded and what the teachers expect from us,” Chloe Gil (9), new student, said. “Also, without much information about the school, I was overwhelmed and worried if I could adopt to the new environment well.”

The pizza party provided a relaxed space where students could ask questions, meet peers, and connect with upperclassmen who had already gone through the same process. Sharing food and conversations helped to create a sense of belonging and lowered the barriers that come with being new.

“In the pizza party, I was able to have conversations with upperclassmen and resolve some questions that I had about high school life, lowering the pressure that I had,” Chloe said. “At the same time, I feel like I built valuable relationship with other new students and the juniors.”