Meeting teachers. Singing the fight song. And finding their lockers.

The 800-plus sophomores at Lawrence High School and Free State High School spent half a day at their new schools Wednesday learning the basics to get ready for the academic year.

In Lawrence Public Schools, students in grades one through six, seven and 10 had a half day of classes Wednesday.

“It’s a big day for sophomores,” said Dick Patterson, principal at Lawrence High School.

“When they leave here today we hope they feel more connected to high school and that we’ve broken down any barriers they’ve had,” Patterson said.

Tammy Heenan, assistant principal at LHS, said there are about 432 sophomores this year, down from last year’s 472.

Heenan said students arrived at 8 a.m., then went to the auditorium for an assembly, where they learned the school fight song and the alma mater.

They also met the student council president and officers and watched routines by the cheerleaders and the pom squads.

The sophomores heard from Jan Gentry, assistant principal who is their class sponsor; Jeanne Averill, an English teacher, about assembly etiquette and getting connected with the school.

Dirk Wedd, the LHS football coach, told them what it means to be a Lion and urged them to get involved in school activities, do their best and not settle for being average.

After the assembly, the students went to meet their seminar teachers, where they got their student planners and learned more about the school.

Then they went to all six of their classes for 10 minutes each to meet their teachers and learn the layout of the building.

They were to have a hamburger barbecue at the end of the morning.

“It’s just a really great morning for getting them into the school spirit and to feel a part of the school and the strong traditions that the school has,” Heenan said.

Heenan said last year’s sophomores put together a survivor manual for this year’s group, which offers advice such as what to do if your locker jams or you need a schedule change. The sophomores will get that and a bag containing a few items such as key chains and pencils when they leave.

“We tried to get them pumped up about being prideful of being part of the Lion family,” Heenan said. “It’s a good day to get them acclimated to the school without the juniors and seniors here.”

Over at Free State, the similar activities were going on, said Ted Berard, assistant principal.

Berard said students were greeted by Dick Snyder, principal, and were welcomed with performances by the high school band, the pom squad and cheerleaders.

Mayor Sue Hack was also to speak to them.

After the assembly, sophomores were invited to a club fair, where they could review the clubs available to them. And they were to finish off their first half day of high school with a hot dog cookout in the commons areas.

There are about 400 sophomores at Free State, up about 30 to 40 from last year.

The morning’s activities give students a chance to meet their teachers, and find their way around the building so they’ll be ready for the first full day on Thursday, Berard said.

“We’re rolling,” he said.