Inside Minnetonka High School: Freshmen Retreat Edition

Inside Minnetonka High School: Freshmen Retreat Edition

5 Tips for navigating the high school

Hallways, short cuts, Commons socializing,  and more

There are a few need-to-know general tips about Minnetonka High School hallways. We’ll walk you through them all and by the time of your first day, trust me, you’ll be an expert

#1: Walk on the right side through hallways and staircases. Walking on the left side will get you into a traffic jam that you do not want on your first day in class.

#2: If you feel late for class, take the hallways around the commons. You can cut through the gallery hallway (hallway with artwork and comfy chairs), take a right, and you’ve successfully avoided the student-packed Commons!

#3: On the other hand, if you have extra time in between classes, check out the Commons! It is located right in front of the cafeteria and many students meet here to chat-plus the cove is right nearby and the yogurt-covered pretzels are to die for.

#4. Do not cluster with friends in busy areas (aka stair entrances, the middle of hallways, doors of classrooms). You may be laughing with your friends, but others will find you cumbersome.

#5: Ask for directions to classrooms if you are lost! The ingenious architects of the high school did not always put the science classes next to each other, or the Spanish, history, or math departments. Every student has had that class in the middle of nowhere, and can help if you have one!

Also, remember to relax. You have 6 minutes in between classes-plenty of time to get from point A to B.

What do you do if you need a teacher’s help?

Studying at MHS

Teachers are here every morning, except Wednesdays, (usually by 7:15am) for student help or retakes. Some are available after school as well.

If you would like to study alone, we have a lot of options here at MHS before or after school. There will be days where you come in early to work on a project or essay. Here are the top study places of MHS:

1. Writing Center. If you need help with an essay or simply editing a paper, this is the place! Located next to the commons, on the main entrance side of the school. Food is allowed.

2. Media Center. You went here to pick up iPads on the Big Day. Sometimes noisy in the morning it is a good place to study if you are here early or after school. Computers accessible.

3. Gallery hallway. If all places are loud or full, the gallery hallway has fantastically comfy chairs and is usually quiet.

4. Teacher’s room. Many teachers are here before and after school; they would love your company in their classrooms if you need a quiet area.

Clubs, Sports, and Activities Oh My!

Over 100 of Minnetonka’s Extra-Curricular

Every senior will tell you that his or her one regret in high school was not joining an activity sooner. Whether they love debate, tutoring students, making robots, even bird watching or Nicholas Cage (yes there is a Nicholas Cage club. Why? I have no idea), the students of MHS all make friendships and follow their passions through these clubs. Myself, well I joined Breezes my junior year and became an editor my senior year, but I could have joined freshmen and sophomore year. It truly makes a difference whether you join a club freshmen or junior year. So when the activities fair rolls around, usually during the beginning week or two of school, be sure to actually look instead of simply strolling by all of the activities stands. For now, we’ll give you a list of activities by interest to give you an idea of what you may want to look for at the activities fair:

Business:

DECA, Vantage (school program, not club)

Writing/Reading:

Writing coach, Literary magazine, Breezes school newspaper, Book club.

Sports:

Soccer, Basketball, Football, Lacrosse, Baseball, Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, volleyball, tennis, softball, hockey, equestrian club, swimming/diving, cheerleading, dance team, bowling, golf, archery, wrestling, ultimate Frisbee, track, cross country running.

Music:

Coffeehouse, chamber singers, jazz ensemble, pep band,  full orchestra club.

Knowledge/World Issues:

Debate, Dare To Know, Quiz bowl, Diversity club, speech, National Honor Society.

Technology:

Computer programming club, super mileage, robotics.

Languages:

French club, Spanish club, ASL club, German club, Chinese club, International Studies (course).

Volunteering:

Backpack tutoring, Optimist club, Be the Change, Teens Taking Action, OFFENSE, People to People International

Everyone’s worst nightmare: THE LUNCH ROOM

It’s really not a nightmare at all, trust me. I remember being scared out of my pants about lunch and I walk in the first day only to see 2 of my good friends in line to eat! Miracle? Not really. Lunches are designed to be big so that most every student knows someone else in his or her lunch.

However, since the lunches are so large, finding a place to sit in the cafeteria can sometimes seem like a problem. Not to worry, though, students are allowed to eat outside of the cafeteria!

Items from the Cove are allowed to be taken outside the cafeteria. But, if you have a tray from the Grill you must stay in the cafeteria. The only exception is in the Spring (or Fall if it is warm) when we are sometimes allowed to eat outside-then you can bring whatever food you would like outside.

The Cove: offers snacks such as juice boxes, energy bars, sandwiches, and chips.

The Dock: offers bagels, drinks, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and ice cream treats.

The Grill: offers hamburgers, French fries, and fruit.

The Sailaway: make your own salad bar.

Regular lunch line: changes daily. Chicken tenders Tuesdays, pasta Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

School Festivities

Dances, rallies, and more!

Currently on the Minnetonka spirit radar is Homecoming; this dance is the first dance of school and also one of the best, in my opinion. So boys ask the girls (or girls just get a group together and go yourselves). It truly is a fantastic time at the pep rally where we get out of school to see the Homecoming king and queen crowned, the football game where we normally lose but cheer insanely loud anyway, and the dance where we dance like grandma is watching. We have other dances spread out through the school year including a Halloween dance, Sweethearts (where the girls ask the guys), swing dancing, and of course Prom (where only juniors and seniors can go, but if you are asked by a junior or senior you can come as well).

There will also be many Tonka Spirit weeks, where Monday is usually pajama day and the following days of the week are themed. Other big events are Heart Week (the week of Valentine’s Day where you can buy singing telegrams for other classmates and on Friday we can buy out of class for $5 to watch a movie, play broomball in Pagel, or see the male pageant show if an upperclassmen), Coffee House (a concert put on by our very own talented students who sing or play instruments to popular songs), and Off the Page (an interview style show with interesting professionals from differing fields of study that come to talk about what they do-the Writing Center puts this on).

All in all, there are so many events at MHS to participate in, and I encourage every one of you to go to at least one if not all!