David Strupp
Reporter
@dstrupp_courant
Like many freshmen this year, Quinn McMahon found himself lost in the halls on the first day of school. That is, until he saw a “New Face Friendly” button. Beginning this year, all teachers were given a yellow smiling face button to wear on their nametag in an effort to remind people to be friendly.
The New Face Friendly Campaign is an effort by the Student Advocates to signify that class leaders and faculty are people students can go to with a question or concern. “I was walking in the hallway on the first day and I couldn’t find my next class,” said Quinn. “I went up to the first person I saw wearing the button and asked them where to go. They directed me to where the room was, and I got there on time.”
The buttons were inspired by the Student Advocates’ desire to make new students feel at ease in school. “The mission of the Student Advocates is to always think in terms of breaking down social barriers,” co-advisor of the Student Advocates, guidance counselor Cynthia Rivera said. “We want to make students feel comfortable in school.”
Student Advocates is a self-described group of student leaders who aim to create a positive school environment.
The New Face Friendly Campaign is just a small step toward improving the school environment. “It’s not a big initiative, it’s a little thing, but I think it reminds people to be friendly,” Ms. Rivera said. “It allows students to be open to others asking questions and to remember to be kind to one another. These are the little gestures that make school better for students.”
