Post Falls High School welcomes incoming ninth graders at LINK orientation
Members of the Class of 2029 gather in the Post Falls High School gym Thursday for their LINK Crew freshman orientation, which introduced them to their new school, teachers and classmates while easing the anxiety of entering their first year in high school.
Courtesy photo
Teachers line the halls of Post Falls High School to cheer on incoming ninth graders Thursday during the annual LINK freshman orientation, in its 21st year. Many students across North Idaho return to the classroom Tuesday.
Courtesy photo
Post Falls High School teacher Ryan Wood and Superintendent Dena Naccarato take a break from leading the LINK Crew freshman orientation to snap a photo Thursday morning. Naccarato introduced the program to the district 21 years ago. Wood has been a longtime LINK coordinator. Both are retiring at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
Courtesy photo
POST FALLS — The first day of school — and all the butterflies and nerves that come with it — will arrive today for many public school students across Kootenai County.
In the Post Falls School District, administrators, staff members and upperclass peers took incoming Post Falls High School ninth graders under their wings Thursday during the annual LINK freshman orientation.
"We were in the big gym area," Sophia Chavez, 14, said Friday. "The LINK program crew, they were talking about not being scared for your freshman year and what to expect to help you release nerves so you're not as scared. We broke off into small groups with different people you probably might not know."
Sophia, who attended Mullan Trail Elementary and Post Falls Middle schools, said she's feeling pretty good about going to high school, where she will take several honors classes.
"I'm a little nervous, but overall excited seeing new people and making new friends," she said, adding that the high school feels much bigger than her previous schools.
"I got lost a few times," she said.
The LINK Crew orientation served as an ice breaker and relaxed some of those nerves.
"It really helped me," Sophia said. "I don't think I’d know where my classes are Tuesday. I'd be really confused, and just meeting people helped so I don't stress as much."
In its 21st year, the LINK program was brought to Post Falls High by Superintendent Dena Naccarato, who was then an assistant principal.
"Post Falls was experiencing quite a growth spurt at the time," Naccarato said.
Naccarato connected with the Boomerang Project, where she received training about the LINK Crew High School Transition program and brought it back to the River City.
"We were trying to create a program to help freshman feel comfortable at their first day of school," she said.
Students meet new peers, tour the halls and classrooms, make connections with older students and are welcomed into their new school ahead of that first day of the semester.
"The staff members line the halls — they wear Post Falls High School gear, clap and cheer for the freshmen," Deputy Superintendent Anna Wilson said. "It's this big positive gauntlet they walk through and feel all this support."
Sophia said one big takeaway was to really focus on her studies, especially as an honor student. Another key to starting freshman year: Don't stress the small stuff.
"Overall, it will be OK," Sophia said. "Don't overthink it."
Teachers line the halls of Post Falls High School to cheer on incoming ninth graders Thursday during the annual LINK freshman orientation, in its 21st year. Many students across North Idaho return to the classroom Tuesday.
Post Falls High School teacher Ryan Wood and Superintendent Dena Naccarato take a break from leading the LINK Crew freshman orientation to snap a photo Thursday morning. Naccarato introduced the program to the district 21 years ago. Wood has been a longtime LINK coordinator. Both are retiring at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.