With summer vacation coming to an end, that only means one thing: The start of a new school year is approaching.
Gustine Middle and High Schools held its respective roundup events last Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, welcoming in new and returning students.
Upon stepping on campus, incoming students had a glimpse of where they’ll be attending for the next couple of years. From receiving their class schedule to getting their Chromebook, the roundups offered students what was needed for a successful first day.
All Gustine Unified School District sites will begin the 2026-27 school year on Wednesday, August 12.
Gustine Middle roundup
Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students and their parents were in a busy afternoon once they stepped foot on campus during Gustine Middle’s orientation on August 5.
The first thing all students were required to do was to go to the cafeteria to get their physical education clothes. There were not as many individuals in the area early in the roundup, but it was prevalent later in the afternoon as more families came later on, which resulted in a long line outside of the cafeteria.
After receiving their P.E. clothes, attendees were then instructed to visit a certain area to pick up their schedules based on their schedules. Sixth graders picked up their schedule on the left side after entering past the school’s entrance. Seventh graders received their schedule on the right side at the back of the school’s office and eighth graders picked up their schedule at the back of the office.
Afterwards, students and their parents gathered in a line in front of the school’s library to pick up their laptops. At the left side of the library, GUSD students were able to receive their vaccination ahead of the school year.
For Gustine Middle Principal Peter Duenas, the annual event offers him an opportunity to meet new and returning students. One student told him that the site was “a safe place” for them, Duenas said.
“I’m so glad to see our kids, you know, and our parents as well,” Duenas said. “We want them to feel that their kids are safe.”
As he prepares for the new year, Duenas said he wants to make a student’s time in middle school memorable. He added that this phase in their education can be overlooked since it's between elementary and high school.
“One of the things I try to tell the student is, ‘You have to be in charge of what you want to learn,’” Duenas said. “I have teachers that are willing to do it.”
Gustine High orientation
One day after Gustine Middle’s roundup event, Gustine High held its orientation where hundreds of students came to receive their class schedule, Chromebook and take their student ID photo.
Students first gathered at the school’s learning center to receive check in. Afterwards, a line formed outside of the door of the Gustine High’s library where students waited to check out their laptops.
Lastly, they went to the school’s gymnasium where they took their student ID photo and gave their schedule.
Towards the final of the event, multiple laptops were registered in the school’s database, which resulted in some students having to pick the device on the first day.
Leading Gustine High’s administration is Brittney Bloom, the school’s new principal. Bloom was previously the assistant principal at Orestimba High and replaces Adam Cano, who resigned last month to become the assistant superintendent at Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District.
In her new role, Bloom said she wants to continue building a positive school culture where there’s a school spirit, which was a suggestion that received from community members and district parents.
“There’s a lot of spirit here, I think it’s just that we need to emphasize it more,” Bloom said. “If there’s anything that a student, parent or a community member wants to share with me, I’m here for it.”
