Madyson and Angelica Santiago, at Thursday’s Wilbur Cross orientation. Asked what they’re looking forward to the most this school year, Wilbur Cross Principal Matt Brown said the incoming 9th grade class and fall sports. Assistant Principal Cora Muñoz said seeing the summer work come to fru ition and the new students coming from countries around the world. Incoming Wilbur Cross freshman Madyson Santiago picked up her first high school schedule on Thursday and celebrated having gym class with a close friend from middle school — while her mom, Angelica Santiago, looked forward to her daughter continuing to use Yondr pouches to keep phones out of sight during the school day. New Haven Public Schools’ (NHPS) first day of the 2026-27 school year is just around the corner, on Monday, Aug. 31. To prepare, at around 10 a.m. Thursday, the city’s largest high school hosted one of several orientations for Cross families, particularly those that are sending freshmen to the East Rock comprehensive high school. Wilbur Cross Principal Matt Brown welcomed families to Thursday’s orientation then presented a 20-minute slideshow on all things Cross. The High School 101 presentation included behavioral expectations for students like no bullying, a brief intro to Yondr pouches, and information about the school’s dozens of academic and extracurricular programs like sports and a student-established chess club. Madyson Santiago, who is entering the ninth grade, stood alongside her mom at Thursday’s orientation and said she is excited and nervous about starting high school. She said she’s interested to see how it is being mostly on the school’s third floor, home to the freshmen academy. Cross introduced its freshmen academy last year to keep first-year students together and paired intentionally with educators on one floor to help support their transition from middle school to high school. Brown said the restructuring was very successful in its first year at keeping first-year students on track and supported while not leaving them totally isolated, as they also participate in extracurriculars like gym and art in other parts of the building. Madyson said that, before she heads back to school in just over a week, she plans to practice her socializing skills and waking up earlier. In middle school, Madyson started her school day at around 9:05 a.m. At Cross, she’ll have to be at school at around 7 a.m. for breakfast or 7:30 when the bell rings for first period. At Thursday’s orientation, Madyson also got her assigned Yondr pouch for storing her phone away during the school day. Brown reminded families during his presentation that Cross, like all other NHPS middle and high schools, is phone-free during the school day. He explained that when students arrive at Cross at the start of the day they must put their phones, AirPods, and smart watches in their pouch and lock it to be stored away during the day. He instructed parents that the “old-fashioned method” of calling the school’s main office to get a message to their child works best. In the case of a building emergency, he added, the school will provide families with updates. “It has been transformational to not have students have cell phones in class,” Brown said after reporting that 90 percent of students noted school was easier without their phones. He also informed parents that students will still be able to do online work if needed for school because all Cross classrooms have Chromebook carts. Equipping each classroom with carts allows for Cross to not have to assign its students with laptops. Madyson said that, because she used a Yondr pouch in middle school, she’s okay with having it in high school. Angelica said she loves Yondr because “they should put their phones away so I’m not getting texts all day.” Madyson said she looks forward to getting back into a routine and is excited to join Cross’ track team. Thursday’s orientation attendees also heard from Sophia LaFargue, the vice president of Wilbur Cross’ Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA). LaFargue invited families to join the PTSA to support and build Cross’s community. From fundraisers to supporting field trips and opportunities for students, LaFargue told parents, “however you can contribute, we’d love to have you.” Principal Brown during Thursday’s orientation. As Brown continued with his presentation he informed families of what “Cross pride” is exactly, which is res(p)onsibility, (r)espect, opportun(i)ty, (d)iversity, and (e)mpowerment. He encouraged students to get involved in Cross programming because that “helps this big school feel smaller.” Brown also walked parents through all that apps like PowerSchool have to offer. He encouraged parents and students to follow their grades, attendance, and assignments on the app. While the school’s notification system calls parents automatically if their student misses first period, it does not give a notification when students miss their others classes. Therefore parents “should look in real time, period by period,” to help support their high schoolers. The app can also help families navigate if a student is on track for graduation by receiving 26 total credits (9 humanities, 9 STEM, 1 physical education, 1 health, 2 world language, 1 capstone, and 3 electives). Other topics touched on by Brown on Thursday were Cross’s many options for high schoolers to get college credits and certifications, wellness Wednesdays, and the school’s health clinic, known as the “body shop.” He urged parents, if they haven’t already, to confirm their freshmen or sophomore is up to date with health department required immunizations. Or families can sign up with the body shop to make an appointment and get a students immunizations at the school’s campus. He concluded by detailing his expectations for students, with the most important being: “Be in every class everyday.” Incoming ninth grader Zaley attended Thursday with her mom Eneida Martinez. While not her first choice, Martinez said when her family did more research about the many opportunities offered at Cross they decided it was a good place for Zaley. During middle school Zaley was a straight A student, which Martinez said she looks forward to her keeping up with. Zaley was able to practice over the summer with Cross’s soccer team to get excited about hopefully joining the team this year. She also is interested in joining the district-wide swim team. “It’s a big school that does really well at connecting students,” Martinez said. Cross’ third floor, a.k.a freshmen academy. The post Cross Looks Ahead To School Year’s Start appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less