Merced students’ return to school greeted with high spirits

The first day of school in Bear Country on Monday felt more like a pep rally as students and staff members were greeted by orange foam fingers, pompoms and the cheer squad chanting “Get up and go, MHS!” to the rhythm of the school’s drum line.

Monday was the first day of school for all schools in the Merced Union High School District and Merced City School District.

The school spirit welcome at Merced High School was organized by the high school’s leadership group.

“We wanted to welcome everyone to the first day of school,” said Justine Lo, a sophomore, as she waved an orange pompom near the school’s entrance. “We want to make them feel like they’re comfortable here.”

Haydee Arreola, the school’s leadership adviser, said the school wants students to participate in all sorts of activities and show their school spirit.

“We want them to know it’s OK to be spirited,” she said. “We want to make them feel at home here, especially for the freshmen.”

The welcome was a peek into the future when the school finally will be able to hold rallies in its new gym, which is under construction. It’s due to be complete for the start of the 2017-18 school year.

“We’re excited to make it a positive year, and we’re excited for the new gym,” said Jon Shaefer, Merced High’s new principal, as he greeted students near the front gate. “It (construction) is a hindrance now with parking, but we’re excited to have a school assembly with all the students.”

The exciting start to the day had Thomas Thao, a sophomore, eager for sporting events. “I’m looking forward to the games and competing against other schools,” he said.

His friend, Keaton Augusto, also a sophomore, joked that the loud start to the morning might scare some of the younger students: “The freshmen are probably terrified.”

But the two sophomores said they were feeling more comfortable on campus this year. “This is round two,” Augusto said.

Susie Murrieta, another sophomore, was missing the extra hours of sleep she enjoyed over the summer. The new school year already was stressful, she said.

Murrieta had her eyes on a successful year, though. “My goal is to get good grades.”

Multiple schools in the Merced City School District received updates for the new school year as well.

The district’s newest school, Rivera Elementary, now is complete with the addition of its preschool, which was built over the summer.

Other schools, such as Burbank Elementary, Chenoweth Elementary and Hoover Middle, received repairs to parking lots, HVAC systems and classrooms.

This story was originally published August 15, 2016 at 2:39 PM with the headline "Merced students’ return to school greeted with high spirits."