By Lori Berkey, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – A dozen years ago, Shrewsbury High School (SHS) guidance counselor Kathy Floyd initiated a program that was literally quite “neat.” The New Entrant Assistance Team (NEAT) is a student organization focused on supporting new students as they transition to SHS via a pairing with a fellow student.
Floyd oversaw the successful program solo for 10 years before her colleague, Judy O’Connor, stepped in to partner with her. As of mid-September, NEAT supported 86 new students this school year, with more newcomers expected throughout the year.
NEAT boasts 56 students who help newcomers feel more at ease by showing them how to get to their classrooms or lunch for the first time or telling them what to expect from gym class. NEAT members assist new students to do such things as join sports or figure out who are the “go-to” people on their team. The student volunteers help with the new entrant orientation which gives attendees a chance to ask questions in a more intimate environment than the mass orientation for kids who aren’t new to Shrewsbury.
NEAT is comprised of a diversity of students who represent a cross-section of the SHS culture. There are shy people, outgoing people, people who like small groups, and some who enjoy sports, speak different languages, and have other interests.
When a newcomer arrives who speaks Bengali, Portuguese or another language, or has a particular interest in a certain activity, the guidance team pairs the new student with someone with a shared language or interest.
Both Floyd and O’Connor value their involvement with the program.
“What I enjoy most about working with NEAT is witnessing the students creating connections and being kind and welcoming,” Floyd said.
O’Connor has spoken to parents with concerns that the school is so large their child might get lost in the shuffle.
“This program gives them an opportunity to have someone one-on-one to bring them around and show them the ropes,” O’Connor said.
Carissa Mok is a junior who joined NEAT because she knew the overwhelming feeling of coming to SHS when she started three years ago.
“For new students, though, that feeling is heightened so I want to do my part in helping them feel welcome in our community,” she said.
Ashley Girouard is sophomore on the team.
“I wanted to join NEAT because our school is so big, and even for someone who has always gone here, even I get lost, literally and socially,” she said. “[NEAT] helps [newcomers] find a place in the community and see familiar faces in the hundreds of kids in a hallway; it makes new students feel more at home.”
Caroline Martin is a junior who finds her involvement on NEAT to be a two-way street.
“I like most that I have made new friends through it and that it isn’t only benefiting the new student positively, but me as well,” she said.