fit school tour

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, here's exactly what to wear on your college visit or tour.

College Admissions

A college tour is one of the best opportunities you have to learn about what a campus is really like. Reading promotional material, or even student blogs, isn't the same as seeing and experiencing it for yourself, but, like any other aspect of applying to college, you need to make sure you're prepared for a college visit—and that means wearing the right outfit!

Most of the time, dressing for a college tour is a casual affair. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider the best way to go about it—comfort and classiness are key .

This guide will walk you through the best way to dress for many different college visit scenarios . A bit of planning will help you have the best possible experience, as well as prepare you for interviews, auditions, and just exploring your dream campus. Read on to find out how!

What to Wear to a College Visit

One of the biggest things to keep in mind when considering what to wear to a college visit is that, in most cases, a college tour is for you to see the college, not for the college to see you .

For the most part, you can dress casually. But there are special considerations if you won’t just be touring the college, so keep that in mind as you’re planning your outfit.

What to Wear on a College Visit If You’re Just Walking Around Campus on Your Own

If you’re not on a guided tour and are just checking out the campus, you can wear pretty much whatever you want, within reason . It might look weird if you’re strolling through campus in a suit—whether three-piece or bathing—but if you’re just there as a visitor, you’re on your own.

What to Wear on a College Tour If You’re on a Guided Tour

If you’re on a guided tour, it’s absolutely okay to be a little casual. You don't need to be impressive, though you should aim for comfort and self-confidence . 

Comfortable shoes are a must, though maybe choose something nicer than your rattiest pair of sneakers . Whatever shoes you wear should be broken in so you don't have to deal with pinching and blisters midway through the day. If your feet are hurting, you're less likely to be paying attention to the tour!

Jeans are fine, as are t-shirts, but be wary of anything with a slogan or image that might be offensive. Even if a curse word or scantily clad person doesn't bother you, it's probably not the right fit for your first impression!

You don’t have to dress fancy, but do put in a little bit of effort. Present your best self—the self you’d want people to see as you venture off to college .

What to Wear on a College Tour If You’re Meeting With a Professor

Many students take advantage of being on campus to schedule appointments with advisers or professors in their field of study. If you’ve chosen to do so, it’s a smart idea to dress it up a little bit. Dress clothes are unnecessary, but do dress a little nicer than you would for just a tour .

Polished shoes are a good choice, but you still want them to be comfortable. If they’re going to pinch as you walk around campus, you may want to go more casual with a nice boat shoe, loafer, or boot. Whatever you choose, be sure that your shoes are broken in.

Dark, nice jeans are appropriate for a meeting with a professor. You could also opt for corduroys or khakis— whatever is going to make you feel most comfortable and confident .

A meeting with a professor is more professional than a tour, but not as professional as a college interview . Instead of a t-shirt, go for something a little classier—a  button-up shirt or blouse is always a good choice. You don’t need to reach for a blazer, but if it makes you feel good, do it!

Most importantly, come prepared with questions and a good attitude . This is your chance to find out more about the school you want to attend, and that’s going to matter far more than looking like a model.

What to Wear to a College Visit If You Have an Interview

Business casual is your go-to for dressing for a college interview . You want to look both confident and professional, so spend a little more time on choosing your shirt and pants than you might for just a guided tour or meeting with a professor.

If you’re walking around campus as well as doing an interview, however, you’re going to want to be sure your shoes are going to hold up to lots of walking as well as looking sharp . Loafers may be a better choice than a dress shoe, unless you’re absolutely certain you’ve broken in the dress shoes and they’re still going to be comfortable after an hour or two.

Opt for a skirt, khakis, corduroy pants, or similar, paired with a button-up shirt or blouse. Dresses are fine, provided you cover your shoulders with a sweater or blazer. Keep your skirt length to around your knees (especially if you’re walking around!), but don’t worry about pantyhose or tights if they’re not comfortable or seasonally appropriate.

Choose an outfit that's right for the season and climate . Layer your clothes if you're touring in the fall or winter so you'll be presentable during your interview, but stay warm enough outside. In the spring and summer, wear light, breathable fabrics so you're not overheating outside—you don't want to show up for your interview all red-faced and sweaty.

If you’re doing an interview on top of taking a tour, consider bringing a change of clothes . You want to be at your best during the interview, so changing into a fresh set of clothes might be your best option, if possible. If not, see if you can schedule your interview for before the tour—that way, you’re not already tired and disheveled from a day of wandering.

What to Wear on a College Tour If You’re Auditioning

Business casual is a good baseline, but, depending on what you’re auditioning for, you might make some additional tweaks to your clothes .

For example, what would a professional musician wear? How about an actor attending an audition? What would you wear to a gallery opening (though don’t get too fancy!)?  Don’t overdo it, but do base your outfit choice on what makes sense for your field.

Comfortable shoes are still an absolute must, as you may be standing during your audition as well as walking around campus.

Choose an outfit that suits the weather—don’t wear a sweater for a summer campus tour in California—or add layers that you can remove when you’re done auditioning so you don’t overheat. The reverse is true, as well; bring a warm coat and gloves if necessary.

If walking around in your audition outfit will be too uncomfortable, consider bringing a change of clothes. Though you may have to carry a change of clothes, it’s far better to be comfortable and confident for your interview, and simply comfortable for the tour !

How to Pick What to Wear on a College Tour

What outfit you should wear depends in part on what you’re doing. Unless you’ll be doing an interview or audition, don’t rush out and buy a whole new wardrobe .

Try on lots of combinations and try to find what makes you feel good about yourself as well as comfortable. Again, you’re going to be focused on learning more about the campus, not on impressing your guide . Put in effort, but don’t overdo it.

It can’t be overstated: you’re going to be walking a lot , so wear comfortable, broken-in shoes.

Bring a bag, whether it’s a nice messenger bag or a clean, classy backpack. You’re going to be given lots of information, pamphlets, and so on, and having a place to put it will make walking around much easier. A bag can also hold a water bottle, snacks, and a notebook, which you can use to write down questions and notes you might have while touring.

Don’t worry too much about your outfit . You’ll be part of a group—unless you’re interviewing or auditioning, your main concern should be what you’re going to learn from the visit. Look clean and confident and you’ll have everything you need.

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?  We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Sample Outfits For a College Tour

With clothes, seeing is easier than reading. Here are a few sample outfits (including some that won't work) to give you the fashion inspiration you need to plan your college tour !

You don’t have to get fancy, but look at how confident and comfortable she looks . That’s the kind of air you want to strive for, whatever that means to you in terms of clothes!

These looks are great if you’re doing something a little more formal, such as an audition, interview, or meeting with a professor. Don’t feel like you have to do the whole suit and tie, but notice how each outfit looks tidy and well put-together . Pay special attention to the shoes, too—they’re all different styles, but each is great for a business casual setting.

This outfit definitely suits the model’s unique style. In summer, these short sleeves and sunglasses are perfect. It’s okay to be unique, as long as it makes you comfortable .

This look is extremely simple and casual, and also perfect for a college tour . A clean t-shirt, a favorite pair of pants, and tidy hair are all it takes.

While great for going to the beach, this look isn’t the best for a college setting. It’s a little too attention-grabby; remember, you’re there to learn about the school, not to stand out . The combination of the shirt's low-cut sides and bright pattern are a bit much, especially with the razor blade necklace and sunglasses. The print would be acceptable on a t-shirt, by try to strive for a style that’s understated rather than loud.

Don’t feel like you can’t be your quirky self on a college visit, but those shoes are a definite no with how much walking you’ll be doing . Again, don’t worry about standing out—you’re not at a college visit to make a big splash, but rather to learn more about the place you could be living in for four or more years. If this is your everyday wear, by all means, go for it, but be sure you’re feeling comfortable and confident.

How to Make the Most of Your College Visit

Now that your outfit is settled, you can focus on the important stuff: getting as much as you can out of your college visit .

Come prepared with questions you'd like answered , including questions for current students, academic advisers, and admissions officers. You may have the opportunity to ask them, and it's better to be overprepared than underprepared ! 

If there's anything in particular you want to see, leave a little time during your visit to check it out in case it's not part of the tour . You can always ask your guide if it's okay to visit the library, for example, or to see the gym, art museum, or football field. Though you may not be able to get into all of them, there's no harm in asking! Looking at a map and list of facilities will help you plan what you want to see ahead of time.

Don't be afraid to ask for recommendations on your tour, either. Stopping by a local restaurant recommended by a student is a great way to get a sense of what student life is like. See what the area has to offer besides your future school !

What's Next?

Touring campus is just one part of the college application process . This complete guide to college applications will help you plan your application step by step!

There are over 5,000 colleges in the United States—how can you possibly decide which ones you should apply to? Using a college finder tool can help you sort through your options and find your ideal school without having to tour every single campus.

Once you've found a bunch of schools that sound good, you then have to figure out which ones to apply to. This guide will help you narrow down your list to the essentials —safeties, matches, and reach school.

Want to build the best possible college application?

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools .

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

• Select spacebar or enter to search Florida Tech website Search

• Essay Prompts
• Osteopathic Medicine Pathway Program
• LECOM Early Acceptance Program
• International
• Non-Degree Seeking
• Dual Enrollment
• Scholarships & Aid
• Admitted Students
• Special Programs
• Why Florida Tech

Freshman Admission Requirements

Florida Tech stands for student success! We want to see our students excel in their classes, graduate on time and be well-prepared for a great job. To that end, the university strives to admit undergraduate applicants who demonstrate a high propensity to succeed in a rigorous, dynamic, hands-on learning environment. For first-year applicants, academic performance in high school is the best predictor of future success at Florida Tech.

Academic Preparedness

Transcripts are the most important element of your application. More than anything else, we need to see that you have completed a strong high school curriculum and demonstrated achievement in college preparatory classes. Florida Tech does not specify a minimum required grade point average, class rank or standardized test score, but these elements are duly evaluated for admission and merit scholarship consideration.

Your high school transcripts should indicate a minimum: 

• Four years of math, including trigonometry, mathematics analysis, analytical geometry or precalculus; and
• Four years of science, including physics and chemistry.

Take the most rigorous math and science curriculum offered by your high school.

Your high school transcripts should indicate at least:

• Three years of mathematics (four recommended); and
• Three years of science (four recommended).

Extracurricular Experience

On your application, be sure to indicate your participation in special classes, clubs or teams that involve academic competition, research projects or advanced problem-solving activities. This tells us you'll be right at home in our hands-on, project-oriented learning environment.

Freshman Application Requirements

When to apply.

Anytime throughout your senior year in high school for First-Time Full-Time-in-College students or anytime during your final academic year for Transfer students. Florida Tech uses a rolling admission policy and makes admission decisions once an application is received and completed.

Materials to Submit

Your application for undergraduate admission to a Melbourne campus program must include:

• Completed  Common Application or Florida Tech Application
• Transcript(s) from your high school, or secondary school, with courses and grades posted at least through your junior year.
• Standardized test results (SAT, ACT, or CLT)

The following materials are highly recommended, but not required:

• Personal essay
• Letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor or coach

To have your SAT scores sent to Florida Tech, use code 5080. For the ACT, use 0716.

Applicants who present G.E.D. scores must also present secondary school records and standardized test results (SAT, ACT, or CLT).

Required application materials vary slightly for home-schooled applicants. Home-schooled applicants must submit:

• Transcript of academic work including an assessment of the level attained in mathematics and the sciences and the texts that were used
• A self-descriptive, one-page essay that addresses academic, community and athletic accomplishments, career goals and work experience
• Standardized test results*

•   Site Search

Information For:

• /20.asp Current Students
• /19.asp Faculty & Staff
• /18.asp Alumni
• /22.asp Recently Accepted Students
• /21.asp Parents
• /17.asp Employers & Industry
• /16.asp Adult Learners & Career Professionals

Search Events

• Calendar View

Search Results

Filter calendar view, privacy policy.

Please view the Anthology Privacy Policy to learn more about our policies and practices regarding the use and disclosure of the personal information you provide.

College tour season is about to kick off. Here are 10 tips from college tour guides to have a successful campus visit.

• As spring starts, colleges nationwide will welcome parents and students to tour their campuses. 
• College tour guides want people to arrive on time, ask the right questions, and have fun.
• They also recommend students take the tours on their own, without their parents.

Spring break is right around the corner, and for many high-school students and their parents, that means many will be hitting the road to tour colleges around the country.

To make the most of your visit, Business Insider spoke with college students and tour guides. They know the campuses like the backs of their hands, and they know how to walk backward.

Here are the dos and don'ts of college tours from student guides .

1. Get there with no time to spare, but don't be late.

You won't get points for arriving early, so try to arrive on time. But if you do happen to arrive late , there's no need to worry.

"If something comes up and you are late, ask your guide what you missed once the tour finishes," Skyler Kawecki-Muonio, a senior at Sarah Lawrence College in New York, told BI. "They will happily fill you in."

2. Dress to impress, but don't sacrifice comfort.

It's important to look nice, but you don't have to don a jacket and tie. Tour-goers should put their best foot forward with a sturdy pair of walking shoes , and don't forget to dress for the weather.

"At Fairleigh Dickinson, tours go out rain or shine, so make sure to wear clothes that will keep you warm," Emily Bone, a junior at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, said .

3. Don't forget to sign in, but skip the résumé .

Most schools have a check-in desk where you'll receive a campus map and other literature. But don't bother furnishing schools with your portfolio.

"Students can leave their résumés at home," Henry Millar, a senior at the College of William & Mary in Virginia, said. "Tour guides generally do not have any sway in the admissions process whatsoever, so feel free to save the paper."

4. Pay attention on the tour, but do it solo if possible.

Some schools offer to let parents and kids take separate tours, which has advantages.

"Get excited about your child's potential future in college, but give them some space to see what they think of that school on their own," Nathan Weisbrod, a junior at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, told BI.

Related stories

Students can comfortably ask questions without a parent present and compare notes afterward .

5. Ask all your questions, but avoid personal interrogations.

This is the time to inquire about any aspect of campus life , and don't feel shy about speaking up.

"Tour guides love getting questions because it allows us to cater the tour, especially in small groups, toward the needs and interests of the families on that specific tour," Halle Spataro, a senior at Bucknell University, said.

But some topics are off-limits, so don't ask your tour guide about their SAT scores , ACT scores , or what they wrote about in their essay .

6. Speak up, but let the student take the lead.

Parents may be tempted to raise their hands again and again, but this tour is about the student, so there should be space to let them shine.

"Try to take the back seat — or the passenger seat — but refrain from driving all of your child's interactions," Julian Jacklin, a junior at Reed College in Oregon, said. "Students who feel they can own that experience usually ask the most questions and engage with the tour more."

7. Say thanks, but don't leave with questions unanswered.

Maybe your guide didn't hear you, or your kid was reluctant to speak up. You can still get the information you want before leaving.

"There's a lot of information students are getting that day and a lot of excitement with being in a new place, which can make people forget to ask certain questions," Lorenzo Mars, a junior at Pepperdine University in California, said.

Therefore, get your tour guide's email address so that you can follow up .

8. You may know exactly what school is right but keep an open mind.

Don't be surprised if a city-living kid is suddenly intrigued by a small-town setting.

"The college search and college experience are all about getting to know yourself better and growing, so on a tour, students have to trust themselves and their judgment of the 'world' they've just stepped into," Thomas Elias, a senior at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, said .

9. Take in as much as possible, but remember to have fun.

Sure, preparing for the next four years can be scary and stressful. But it's also an exciting milestone, so enjoy the ride.

"These tours serve as great opportunities to learn more about colleges — along with their cities, culture, and people," Connor Gee, a sophomore at the University of Mississippi, said. "Have fun with it!"

10. Weigh the pros and cons of the school, but don't stop there.

Your tour may be over, but you can still learn other ways to immerse yourself in college life .

"See if the school offers additional experiences, like eating in the cafeteria or attending a class," Emily Balda, a senior at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, said. "Consider it 'food for thought.'"

Watch: What new Citadel military college "knobs" go through on day one at the controversial school

• Main content

Best Fit School

Real Experiences

Real Students

• Select spacebar or enter to search Florida Tech website Search

FIT Aviation

• Why FIT Aviation
• Flight Training
• Student Resources
• Staff Resources
• Tour the Flight Line
• Contact FIT Aviation

Flight School at Florida's STEM University

Florida Tech is one of the elite few private universities to offer undergraduate aeronautics degree programs with flight options and FIT Aviation is proud of its role in these exciting programs. You will find Florida Tech graduates working in nearly every airline as well as in airports, training centers, safety agencies and aviation companies all over the world.

University Links

College of Aeronautics

Bachelor's Degree Programs

Aeronautical Science - Flight, B.S.

Aviation Human Factors and Safety - Flight, B.S.

Aviation Management - Flight, B.S.

Aviation Meteorology - Flight, B.S.

Aeronautics News

Flight Training Programs Approvals

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved FIT Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Florida Tech, to offer Part 141 flight training.

Cookie banner

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy . Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use , which became effective December 20, 2019.

By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies.

Follow Canal Street Chronicles online:

• Follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter
• Follow Canal Street Chronicles on Facebook

Site search

• DraftKings Sportsbook
• DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports
• Life of a Saint
• Fleur de Links
• Saints Community Events
• Full Archive
• Community Guidelines
• Saints NFL picks center

Filed under:

• New Orleans Saints News
• Today's NFL News

Saints players reveal new Fit Zone at Houma Junior High School

The equipment was donated by the team in partnership with UnitedHealthcare.

Share this story

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on Twitter
• Share this on Reddit
• Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: Saints players reveal new Fit Zone at Houma Junior High School

On Thursday, March 21st, New Orleans Saints players Blake Grupe, Lou Hedley and Nick Saldiveri joined Houma Junior High School's teachers and students to reveal the school’s new Fit Zone, which was donated by the team in partnership with UnitedHealthcare.

Take a look at Houma Jr. High’s brand new FitZone thanks to the help from @UHC and the extra assistance from @blakegrupe , Lou Hedley, and Nick Saldiveri! @SaintsinComm pic.twitter.com/XiUkNNC6p2 — New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 22, 2024

The players hung out with the students to show them how to properly use the new workout equipment, even going through a few drills with them at the end of the day.

More From Canal Street Chronicles

• New Orleans Saints salary cap update
• NFL Committee approves new third challenge rule
• Changes to NFL kickoff rules unanimously approved by committee
• Saints to visit with Keon Coleman, per report
• Fleur-de-Links, March 25: Can the Saints make more moves?
• 2024 Saints Top 30 Visits Tracker

Loading comments...

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• RANDOM QUIZ
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• School Stuff
• Back to School

How to Fit in at a New School

Last Updated: September 1, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Katie Styzek . Katie Styzek is a Professional School Counselor for Chicago Public Schools. Katie earned a BS in Elementary Education with a Concentration in Mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She served as a middle school mathematics, science, and social studies teacher for three years prior to becoming a counselor. She holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling from DePaul University and an MA in Educational Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University. Katie holds an Illinois School Counselor Endorsement License (Type 73 Service Personnel), an Illinois Principal License (formerly Type 75), and an Illinois Elementary Education Teaching License (Type 03, K – 9). She is also Nationally Board Certified in School Counseling from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 16 testimonials and 86% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 359,420 times.

Moving to a new school can be intimidating. In fact, it may feel as your whole world as you once knew it is crashing down. You may wish your friend was with you, or that the school was in your old neighborhood. However, it is possible to fit in at a new school. Follow these easy steps and you'll find yourself fitting in no time!

• Don't worry too much about what people think of you; you'll over-analyze the situation and they might judge you for that.
• Be genuine and be nice to everyone, no matter how mean they may appear at first. It's usually always the 'girl/guy that you hated at your new school' that ends up being your friend after a little sincerity.
• Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself, if it's very clear that you should.

• Asking for directions to a class, for example, is a good way to talk to people and meet a lot of people on your first day. You're the new kid now. Mention that to people whenever you need some help.

• Be nice, and optimistic, even if there happens to be an annoyance. They might even let you be the annoyance to another new kid someday, it usually takes a year and a half, but they'll come around. Always remember to make a good first impression but it's also important to be yourself.

• It can be the most tricky, manipulative people that talk to you at first, and it's usually those who just talk to you later on, at the back of the classroom who are there for you later on.

• If they accuse you of something you didn't do, reply by saying you've never done whatever it is they are accusing you of, and then ask them who had said that.

Community Q&A

• If you move during the school year, you will get more attention for longer periods of time. But, be aware that everyone will be talking about you (not necessarily in a bad way) because you're the only thing interesting going on. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2
• People will ask you many questions. Answer them, but don't ramble. In turn, ask questions about the school and the students. If someone is talking about someone you don't know, ask questions to clarify basic points, but listen to what they say, also it might be harder to make friends because everyone may already be paired up. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
• The clothes you wear don't necessarily have to fit in with the trends at your school! People are drawn to things that are different, but this can get you either bad or good attention. Always be intuitive to the people around you, and for a while, keep your style toned down. But don't be a carbon-copy! If there's nothing about you that stands out, nobody will feel the urge to bother to get to know you. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 2

Tips from our Readers

• Avoid getting labeled a "troublemaker" by following key rules. Teachers watch new students closely. Minor mistakes that happen early can create poor lasting impressions.
• Consider joining clubs or teams to expand your social circle. Shared activities facilitate friendship organically through regular interactions around common interests.
• Focus more on quality friendships than quantity. Stay true to yourself and in time you'll connect well with a few kindred spirits. That counts far more than groups.
• On day one, take deep breaths if nervous and act as though classmates are already friends. Anxiety is normal but most people are welcoming to new students.
• If friends exclude you, don't take it personally or overreact. Trust and acceptance can take time. Politely engage when included; otherwise, be patient.
• Believe in yourself at a new school. It's a fresh chance to be who you want, make real bonds over shared interests, and maybe find an academic ally.

• If you had a bad reputation at your old school, don't talk about your rep. Just pretend it never happened and make sure not to make the same mistakes at your new school. Thanks Helpful 53 Not Helpful 0
• Don't be negative. People don't like a Debbie-Downer. A way to avoid this is to think positively about every situation. Thanks Helpful 46 Not Helpful 2
• Try to avoid drama if you can. Thanks Helpful 52 Not Helpful 3
• Don't be obnoxious. It's good to jump in and let people know you're there, but allow them to get a word in too. Thanks Helpful 37 Not Helpful 6

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Katie Styzek. Professional School Counselor. Expert Interview. 28 October 2020.

About This Article

If you've already tried joining activities and clubs, but still don't feel like you're fitting in at your new school, try talking to a group of kids in the class before lunch. Bring up lunch in casual conversation to prompt them to invite you to sit with them! If it doesn't work, try again with a new group of kids the following day. For more advice on how to fit in at a new school, like how to get noticed on your first day, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Makayla Kurtz

Jun 14, 2016

Did this article help you?

Emily Collins

Aug 8, 2019

Talia Walters

Apr 17, 2018

Feb 15, 2017

Aimee Littleton

Feb 21, 2017

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Kamala Harris to tour blood-stained building where 2018 Florida school massacre happened

• Associated Press

PARKLAND, Fla. — Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday is expected to tour the blood-stained classroom building where the 2018 Parkland high school massacre happened, accompanied by some victims’ family members who are pushing for stricter gun laws and improved school safety.

Harris’ visit will be the latest by elected officials and law enforcement and education leaders in recent months to the boarded-up, three-story building, which stands on the north side of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The tragic landmark has loomed over the school’s 3,600 students from behind temporary fencing since the Feb. 14, 2018, shooting that left 14 students and three staff members dead and 17 wounded.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona toured the building in January and several members of Congress, mostly Democrats, have gone through since law enforcement returned custody of the building to the school district last summer.

When Harris goes inside, she will see bullet-pocked walls and floors still covered in dried blood and broken glass. Shoes left behind by fleeing students and wilted Valentine’s Day flowers and balloons are strewn about. Textbooks, laptop computers and papers remain on desks. Only personal items such as backpacks and purses have been removed.

Former student Nikolas Cruz, then 19, fired about 140 shots from his AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle during his six-minute attack. He pleaded guilty in 2021.

“The building is a time capsule,” said Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Stoneman Douglas graduate who helped organize the visit. Harris, he said, will “learn about the failures of the building, the failures of the response to the shooting by law enforcement, the failures in the training of the teachers, the failures of threat assessments of the shooter and the failure of all the warning signs.”

Some Stoneman Douglas families who participate in the tours, along with President Joe Biden, want the sale of AR-15s and similar guns banned, as they were from 1994 to 2004, but there isn’t sufficient support in Congress. Opponents, which include other victims’ families, argue that such a ban would violate the Second Amendment and do little to stem gun violence.

Linda Beigel Schulman said the tour will show Harris the carnage a mass shooting creates — it no longer will be an abstract concept. Beigel Schulman’s 35-year-old son, geography teacher Scott Beigel, was killed as he ushered students to safety in his classroom. The papers he was grading when the shooting began remain on his desk.

“She understands how important gun violence prevention is for us,” Beigel Schulman said of the vice president. “But when you go into the actual building and see what actually happened, it doesn’t matter that it is six years later, it really does something to you.”

Spend your days with Hayes

Subscribe to our free Stephinitely newsletter

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Max Schachter, whose son Alex died in the shooting, uses the tours to persuade officials to enact school safety measures such as making doors and windows bullet-resistant. Alex, 14, died from shots fired through the window of his classroom’s door. Schachter said while there is disagreement over gun laws, school safety brings the sides together. He pointed particularly to a fall visit by Utah officials leading to that state enacting a $100 million plan to harden its schools.

“I couldn’t save Alex, but every time I have officials come through that building, lives are saved,” Schachter said.

During Harris’ visit, the White House says, she will announce a program to provide technical assistance and training to Florida and the other 20 states that have similar “red flag laws.” Florida’s law allows officers, with a judge’s permission, to temporarily seize guns belonging to anyone shown to be a danger to others or themselves. The statute has been used more than 12,000 times since it was enacted six years ago in response to the Parkland shooting. Harris also will call on states without red flag laws to adopt them.

The building where the Parkland massacre happened were preserved as evidence for the 2022 penalty trial of Cruz, who received a life sentence instead of the death penalty, angering the victims’ families. The structure also was saved for the trial of the school’s sheriff’s deputy, Scot Peterson, who was acquitted last year on charges that he retreated instead of confronting Cruz.

Cruz’s jury toured the building, but Peterson’s judge rejected prosecutors’ request to bring his panel to the school. The Broward County school district plans to demolish the building this summer over the objection of some victims’ families who want to show it to more officials.

Even officials who don’t support stronger gun laws learn from the tours, leading to better discussions, Moskowitz said. He believes there is broad support in Congress for increased school safety spending and a federal “red flag” law.

Cruz had a long history of troubling and bizarre behavior, including animal torture. In the weeks before the shooting, he had been reported to local law enforcement and the FBI by people fearing he was planning a mass shooting, but no action was taken. He legally purchased 10 guns in the 17 months between his 18th birthday and the massacre.

By TERRY SPENCER Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City. Our teams in over 100 countries tell the world's stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting.

MORE FOR YOU

• Advertisement

ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SUBSCRIBERS

The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only. To enjoy the e-Newspaper every day, please subscribe.

The school visit: what to look for, what to ask

by: The GreatSchools Editorial Team | Updated: December 5, 2023

Print article

Be sure to visit all the schools on your list, if you can. A visit is the best way to determine whether a school is right for your child. Even a short visit will help you identify a school’s strengths and challenges. It’s also the only way to get a feel for a school’s climate — intangible but important factors like the dynamism of the teaching, engagement of the students, quality of communication, level of respect between students, teachers, administrators, and parents, and the overall sense that the school offers a safe and inspiring learning environment .

School visit checklists

Use this printable guide to help you plan your elementary, middle, or high school visit.

Before your visit

• Do your homework. Read about the schools you’ll be visiting. Examine their school profiles on GreatSchools.org. Talk to other parents and check your local newspaper for articles about the schools.
• Contact the school.  Most schools conduct regular school tours and open houses during the enrollment season — typically in the fall. Call the school or go online to schedule a visit.
• Ask and observe. Jot down your questions before your visit (the sample questions below will help you create your list).

Key questions to ask

• Does this school have a particular educational philosophy or mission?
• What curriculum does the school use for math, reading, science, etc? Ask if the school follows the Common Core State Standards , Next Generation Science Standards , and which program(s) are they using to teach children to read ?
• What is the average class size ?
• What is this school’s approach to student discipline and safety? Do they practice restorative justice ? Are the discipline practices fair for families of color ? Do they practice corporal punishment , and if so, can you opt out of that for your child?
• How much homework do students have? What is the school’s philosophy/approach to homework ?
• What kind of library resources are available to students?
• How is technology used to support teaching and learning at this school?
• How do the arts fit into the curriculum? Is there a school choir, band or orchestra? A drama program? Art classes?
• What extracurricular opportunities (sports, clubs, community service, competitions) are available for students?
• How do students get to school? Is free school busing available?
• Is bullying a problem at the school? Does the school have an anti-bullying policy ?
• Does the school have a program for gifted students ?
• How does this school support students who have academic, social or emotional difficulties?
• What strategies are used to teach students who are not fluent in English?
• What professional development opportunities do teachers have ? In what ways do teachers collaborate?
• Does the school offer Physical Education (PE) classes?
• What are some of the school’s greatest accomplishments? What are some of the biggest challenges this school faces?

Features to look for

• Do classrooms look cheerful? Is student work displayed, and does it seem appropriate for the grade level?
• Do teachers seem enthusiastic and knowledgeable, asking questions that stimulate students and keep them engaged?
• Does the principal seem confident and interested in interacting with students, teachers and parents?
• How do students behave as they move from class to class or play outside?
• Is there an active Parent Teacher Association (PTA) ? What other types of parent involvement take place at this school?
• How well are the facilities maintained? Are bathrooms clean and well supplied, and do the grounds look safe and inviting?

Especially for elementary schools

• What are some highlights of this school’s curriculum in reading , math, science and social studies?
• What criteria are used to determine student placement in classes?
• How does this school keep parents informed of school information and activities? Are they easy to communicate with ?
• Does the school let parents know what their rights are (and aren’t ) in regards to your child’s education?
• Is quality child care available before and after school?
• How much outdoor time do kids get each day?

 Especially for middle schools

• How does the school guide and prepare students for major academic decisions that will define their options in high school and beyond? Do they provide advice to parents on how to help this age group ?
• Does the school offer tutoring or other support if students need extra help?
• Are world language classes (French, Spanish, etc.) offered to students?
• If the school is large, does it make an effort to provide activities that create a sense of community ?

Especially for high schools

• Does this school have a particular curriculum focus, such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) or the arts?
• What kind of emphasis does the school place on college preparation ?
• Does the school have a good selection of Advanced Placement (AP) and honors classes?
• What percentage of students take the SAT or/and ACT ?
• Where do students go after they graduate? How many attend four-year college? Are graduates prepared for college ?
• Are counselors available to help students make important decisions about classes?
• Is college counseling and support available?
• Does the school offer a variety of career planning options for students who are not college bound?
• Does the school staff set high expectations for all students?
• Does the school have a tutoring program so students can get extra help if they need it?
• How do students get to school? Is there a parking lot, and are buses (public or district-provided) available?
• Does this school have any school-to-work programs or specialized academies ?
• What is the school drop-out rate ?

Especially for charter schools

• When and why was this school created ?
• Does the school have a specific focus?
• Who is the charter holder, or the group that created the school?
• How does the school select teachers? Are the teachers certificated?
• Is this the permanent location or facility for the school? If not, will the school be moving to another location in the near future?

Homes Nearby

Homes for rent and sale near schools

Why your neighborhood school closes for good – and what to do when it does

5 things for Black families to consider when choosing a school

6 surprising things insiders look for when assessing a high school

Surprising things about high school

Yes! Sign me up for updates relevant to my child's grade.

Please enter a valid email address

Thank you for signing up!

Server Issue: Please try again later. Sorry for the inconvenience

Denver Nuggets | Inside Kevin Durant’s invite-only pickup game…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Digital Replica Edition

• Sports on TV/Radio
• Sports Podcasts

Denver Nuggets

Denver nuggets | inside kevin durant’s invite-only pickup game that inspired peyton watson in high school, as the nuggets pseudo-rookie is having a miniature breakout season off the bench, he shares memories from a formative experience: playing pickup with kevin durant and kyrie irving as a high schooler..

It’s a parent’s job to worry over nothing, to invent hypothetical situations that’ll make a teenager’s eyes roll at the sheer effort of the paranoia. Typical stuff, like: What if you cause a serious injury to one of the best NBA players of all time?

As Julio Watson sat in an empty gym with his son, he expressed that fear.

“Look, Peyton, if he comes down the middle or whatever, or if he’s shooting, just get out of the way,” Julio warned. “Last thing you need to do is hurt K.D.”

It was the summer of 2020, and they were waiting for Kevin Durant at the West Los Angeles gym where they’d been told to meet. The Watsons — Peyton, his dad and uncle — were the first to arrive. Chalk it up to a combination of eagerness and morning traffic anticipation. They drove up from their home in Long Beach. Peyton was going to need a ride back, too. He didn’t have his license yet.

Durant showed up with an associate about 10 minutes later and started taking shots. Slowly, others started trickling in: Taurean Prince, Caris LeVert, Kyrie Irving.

Peyton Watson was between his junior and senior years of high school, but he had an invite to the best pickup game in Los Angeles. Arranged by one of his basketball idols.

“I was starstruck,” Watson said. “I couldn’t even sleep the night before. I didn’t even go to sleep. I stayed up all night.”

Four years later, the Nuggets wing still considers that day one of the most important of his life. For about two hours, he was the only high schooler in a small group of players running full-court pickup games, led by the two-time NBA Finals MVP.

“I was training. Trying to get guys in the gym every day to train, to get ready for the season, because I was coming off the Achilles injury,” Durant told The Denver Post. “So we were bringing guys every day. And I think that day, Peyton had came in, and guys might’ve canceled on us that day. So we just played full-court 3-on-3. … We weren’t expecting anything out of anybody. Just playing hard and just having an honest hoop game. He came in and fit right in.”

That Achilles injury was the one that derailed the 2019 NBA Finals and forced Durant to miss the next season. Watson’s dad could envision the headlines: “High school player injures Kevin Durant, delays return.” So he made sure to pass along those fears to Peyton, whose competitive instinct has been visible to Nuggets fans throughout this season whenever he sacrifices his body to fly after a swattable shot.

“When I got there, I came to play ball and show what I could do. Showcase my talent,” Watson said. “So I went out there and didn’t want to be one of those guys who just was happy to be there. I went out there and was challenging people. I was scoring. I was holding my own.”

That’s how he earned the invitation in the first place. It started at one of his high school games. Junior year. During a first-quarter timeout. Watson, a blue-chip recruit at Long Beach Poly, noticed a commotion. “I saw him walk in,” he recalls, “and I was like, ‘Oh my god.’” Durant, a connoisseur of hoops at all levels, was in the building.

He and Kobe Bryant were Watson’s favorite NBA players growing up. His dad once got mad at him for misplacing a brand-new pair of Durant shoes during a youth basketball trip.

Watson had an outstanding game. So did his brother, Christian. Durant was impressed by both. He and Peyton developed a line of communication via social media DMs. “I think I followed him, and then he might’ve hit me up first,” Durant said. “I don’t know. It’s just one of those friendships that you don’t know how it started; it just organically happened. He’s been my brother ever since.”

After the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the NBA, a rehabbing Durant was in Los Angeles to train. That’s when his people reached out to Watson’s with a time and location.

It was common then for Julio or his brother, Brantley, to drive Peyton to basketball-related events or workouts. The three of them went to this one together, unsure what to expect. They’d never been in an environment like this with professionals. As the run started, Watson’s family members were the only bystanders other than trainers and support staff.

“You’re just sparring, man,” Durant said. “You’re just taking the risks with certain stuff that you want to learn and get better at. Fade-aways and step-back 3s. Stuff that you probably didn’t work on during your season. Try to work on it there. It’s trial-and-error time.”

There were about a dozen games, first to seven or eight points. Precise details are murky now, but Watson remembers being on a team with Irving and Christian Wood. The other team included Durant, Prince, and Jaylen Hands, a Brooklyn Nets G League player. There were a few no-shows, lending Watson more reps. “He wouldn’t have played every game, since he was so young, and we try to give the seniority to the pros,” Durant said.

Watson and Wood shared responsibilities defending Durant, who was incapable of missing a shot. At the other end of the floor, Irving shared Durant’s philosophy about it being a chance for all participants to experiment. For him, that meant trying out a variety of off-hand finishes — foreshadowing his incredible buzzer-beater to defeat the Nuggets this March. It also meant spreading the wealth. On a handful of possessions, Irving gestured for Watson to bring the ball up and create a shot for himself. Irving was friendly with Watson afterward, though he didn’t know anything about the 17-year-old.

“Peyton was kind of a big deal in high school, and Kyrie had no idea who he was. I thought that was the most refreshing thing ever,” his dad said. “Like, you think you’re a big deal, but here’s a guy who’s like, ‘I have no idea who this guy is.’”

Watson was proud of how he held his own. He made shots. He handled the ball well. He didn’t cause any injuries, much to his dad’s relief.

“It was actually one of the better days we had,” Durant said. “Because it was ups and downs trying to come out of rehab, and everybody trying to find their rhythm through the pandemic. So it was a weird time, but I think we got something out of it for sure. It’s a great environment. It’s one of those things that you always want to remember as you get older — those moments in the gym with no cameras, no practice jerseys, no refs. It’s just us purely hooping for the fun of it.”

“One of the better experiences of my life,” Watson called it. “Not only for my game and sharpening against the best players in the world, but also for my confidence. They threw me out there and they were like, ‘You’re one of us. You’re a pro just like us.’ That meant a lot to me.”

It opened a door into a bigger world for Watson. The other players in attendance that day stayed supportive of him. He got invited to other events, including one with John Wall. He kept in touch with Durant. “I just wanted to be like, almost in a way, an apprentice to him,” Watson said. “See the things that he does, see the things that he works on, and mainly just keep that relationship in case I had any questions, not only on the court but off it as well.”

When Watson boldly bet on himself by entering the NBA draft as a one-and-done despite averaging only 3.3 points in 13 minutes at UCLA, Durant sent him an encouraging text. “I love this,” Watson recalls Durant saying.

“I love that he’s carving out a lane for himself, because in college he didn’t get a lot of minutes. He didn’t play a lot,” Durant says now. “He got drafted purely off of talent, potential, his athleticism. He’s somebody I’ve really got major respect for. I really want to see him do well.”

In the weeks leading up to the 2022 draft, Watson was playing pickup again with NBA company. It was a bigger group this time, enough for five-on-five. He met a future teammate there, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. And he reconvened with Irving, but this time on opposite teams.

“I’ll tell you about Peyton, man,” Irving said, smiling. “I walk into the gym, and I’m like, ‘Who is this little kid right here that’s towering over me and picking me up dang near above half-court, when it’s just pickup?’ But the crowd on the side, it was a small gym, and they started getting into it.”

Five-on-five became one-on-one. Irving scored on Watson. Watson returned the favor. “So then he came back at me,” Watson said. “He scored again, I came down. I scored.” They went back and forth in isolation, several possessions in a row. Then Irving finally missed one. The draft prospect didn’t. He buried a 3-pointer to win the game for his team.

“I got in a one-on-one battle with Kyrie Irving and I won,” Watson declared proudly. “I’m one of the only people that can say that.”

And he did it by playing pick-up like a competitive provocateur, pressuring Irving all the way up the floor. Neither of them held back. And nobody got hurt.

See, Dad? Nothing to worry about.

“I will admit that he scored on me a few times,” Irving said. “We were going at it. That was kind of my telltale sign that he was gonna be a good player in this league for a long time. He had no fear. He didn’t back down. He got me better that day.”

Want more Nuggets news? Sign up for the Nuggets Insider to get all our NBA analysis.

• Report an Error
• Submit a News Tip

More in Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets | Nuggets dismantle injury-riddled Grizzlies, 128-103, to win fourth-straight game

Denver Nuggets | Michael Porter Jr.’s hot streak continues as he breaks Nuggets’ single-season 3-point record

Denver Nuggets | Nuggets Journal: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope focused on repeat even as 2024-25 contract option looms

Denver Nuggets | Nikola Jokic triple-double, Michael Porter Jr. 31-point game lead Nuggets to win over Knicks

Top 7 Questions to ask on a Flight School Tour

You’ve diligently researched a flight school and now you’ve taken the next step and booked a tour.  But before you go, you want to make sure you use the opportunity to ask the right questions.  The industry is full of acronyms and jargon that you’ve probably never heard before and it might feel like a part-time job just to select your flight school. Here is my advice to help you navigate the process of finding the right flight school for you . 

1.Maintenance

For me when I started flight school, my parents were a bit apprehensive about the quality of aircraft that I would be training in. When you tour a flight school it’s important to ask to see the maintenance facility. This can tell you a lot more than you would think about the flight school itself. If you see piles of scraps, dirty floors, and sloppy looking mechanics, then it’s time to look elsewhere. What you should see when you walk in to a maintenance facility is a spotless floor, well organized tool areas and mechanics, a records room, and friendly staff that are willing to show you around. Your safety is the number one concern in flight training and therefore should be taken seriously by those providing you with the aircraft you are trusting your life with.

2. Campus Life

All college degree programs with a flight program are generally based on a campus somewhere. This can be a huge part of your training without you even realizing it. If you are unhappy on campus, doing nothing but flight training 24/7, and having no work/life balance, it can be very easy to get burned out. It is important to like and feel comfortable with your campus. Ask about Greek life, student organizations, and other majors on campus, and then get involved. Flight school can be an extremely stressful environment so having an outlet to decompress and connect with people is more important than you may think.

3. 141 vs 61

The FAA regulates flight training under two main sections, Part 61 and Part 141. The main difference between the two is how structured the training is. A good way to think about it is that part 61 is more casual – it’s a one on one, go at your own pace kind of learning, which benefits those that like to study on their own or at their own pace. Part 141 provides detailed lesson plans for each flight in order to reach the minimum requirements, better for those that like the rigor and detail of learning. Most collegiate programs will be primarily 141 based, but will often offer part 61 as an option. Because those lesson plans are all written out, ask the aviation school to see them. Take the opportunity to learn what your lessons are going to be like. Some things to look out for are lots of repetition within lessons, most will start and end with the same kinds of formats but take a look at the middle sections of the lessons and make sure they are a little different each time.

4. Restricted Airline Transport Pilot License

The race to get into a regional airliner is continually changing. The restricted Airline Transport Pilot License (ATP ) is helping students and young aviators who have gone through a 141 flight training program from an accredited university, get into the right seat of a regional airline in 1,000 or 1,250 hours, instead of the traditional 1,500 hours. In some cases, this could mean six months to a year sooner. If the school you are looking at does not offer the restricted ATP, then they may not be working as hard as they can for you. Take this into consideration because this may put you behind others in the industry. There are also a few other detailed minimum requirements that you should discuss with your advisors or other points of contact.

A flight school could have the best aircraft, staff, and maintenance in the world, but if they do not have beneficial weather, then none of that will matter. The majority of primary flight training has to be done in visual conditions, so it is important to consider the location and weather conditions in the flight training area when choosing a flight school that is right for you. This can become a huge area of frustration for new students because they may often have to cancel or delay flights due to weather. In some northern locations, it is possible to go a month or more without being able to fly. Ask in your department meeting about how much flying students typically do month to month.

6. Coming in with Licenses

Incoming flight students are able to get their Private Pilot Certificate before they enroll in college. In most cases, as long as your license is completed, even if you only have the paper copy, your college will accept the certificate, and even issue you transfer credits. However, if you come in with half, or only part of your license completed, without fail, you will run into problems. This gets complicated because there is no way for you to prove what you have done in your training other than the word of your previous instructor, and your logbook. What will happen more often than not is that you will have to prove your proficiency with an instructor. This can be a source of frustration on many levels for a student. You will be repeating lessons that you may have already done, spending more money and time on those same lessons that could have been used to move forward in your training. Take this into consideration before starting your search, and make sure you have enough time to complete your license before you start. As a rule of thumb always plan an extra month or so for a buffer. Remember, having your license in hand when you start college is ALWAYS beneficial.

7. Hiring from Within

Once you get through your primary training, you will have accumulated roughly 250-300 hours. To get to the 1,000-hour minimum for the restricted ATP, it’s common for students to work as Certified Flight Instructors (CFI). By no means is being a CFI an easy task. When you are on your tour, it is a good idea to ask about the policy of hiring flight instructors that have gone thru the same schools’ flight program. In some cases, flight schools encourage it, and others they do not. This could really hold you back from accelerating as quickly as possible. Ask about your options for working as a CFI after you have the license, as well as any education benefits, such as tuition remission for full-time employees (often times full-time CFI are still considered college employees, and thus qualify for free tuition, up to a set limit).

If you have questions, ask! Us pilots tend to lose sight of that fact. Remember, we all started in the same place, so don’t be scared to ask them to slow down once in a while.

%CODE1BECOMINGAPILOT%

Related Articles

weVENTURE Announces 2024 Women Who Rock Winners

Meteorology Students, Faculty Deploy Weather Balloon from Crawford Green

Mitra Using Machine Learning to Help Digitize Ancient Texts from Indus Civilization

Florida Tech, East Coast Zoological Foundation Partner for Lagoon Research Group at New Aquarium

How to Find the Right K-12 School for Your Child

Consider location, budget and your child’s unique needs.

How to Choose a K-12 School

Getty Images

Choosing a school for your child is one of the most personal decisions a parent can make, but that doesn't mean you have to go it alone.

With her extensive background in education, Kiran Bhai is the person friends and family often turn to for help when it comes to choosing a school for their child.

Bhai has worked in both public and charter schools and is the program director for schools and parenting at Making Caring Common, a project based at the Harvard University's Graduate School of Education that works with educators and families to raise caring and ethical children.

She knows anxious parents are looking for a magic answer, but she doesn’t have one. Instead, she suggests they start by asking themselves some important questions in order to figure out their own “personal equation” for the kind of school that will meet their child’s needs and goals.

Does a child struggle to make friends? Maybe a smaller school is the way to go. Does a child require extra learning support? You might want to look at schools designed for students with learning disabilities . Do parents want a school with lots of options for sports and extracurriculars? Do they want to be within walking distance of school?

The list goes on and on.

“It’s personal,” Bhai says. “You want to know the goals you have. It’s so different for every family and every child.”

Choosing a school for your child is one of the most personal decisions a parent can make, but that doesn't mean you have to go it alone. Bhai and other experts suggest considering these factors when choosing a school.

Types of Schools 

Determining what’s most important for your child and your family will help determine the type of school you want your child to attend. While it might seem like there’s only a choice between public and private schools , there are lots of other options to consider. Maybe you want to send your child to a parochial school. Maybe a microschool would work better for your family. Or you might be curious about homeschooling .

Families may also have a choice when it comes to public school. Many areas offer public charter and magnet schools in addition to traditional public schools. Then there's the matter of instruction: Some charters and especially magnets specialize in a particular area of focus, like STEM or the performing arts. And there are private and public options for alternative educational approaches like Montessori and Waldorf schools.

While there are many factors when deciding on a school, the three most important drivers are typically location, budget and, the biggest factor of all, your child’s unique needs. Bhai says some of the biggest concerns she hears from parents in that category are related to school safety , class size and availability of student support.

Even after taking into account all these considerations, the decision may not be easy.

“You’re taking a leap when you have the choice to make a choice,” Bhai says. “You’ll never have all the information but you do your best.”

Public vs. Private 

The debate over public and private schools seems to never end, but perhaps nowhere is it more contentious than New York City. And Joyce Szuflita has had a unique vantage point.

As a school consultant in Brooklyn, Szuflita has spent nearly 15 years advising thousands of anxious parents in the city. Her role began after diving headlong into the school search process for her twin girls in the “very complicated environment” of New York City.

While some clients come to her intent on either public or private, lots come to her just plain confused. Some are nervous about sending their children to a big city public school in a place they didn’t grow up. Others feel pressure from colleagues and friends that they have to send their kids to private school.

“I don’t have hard and fast recommendations,” Szuflita says. She tells parents to look for value. "If that means paying for it, that’s great, and if you don’t have to pay for it, that’s great.”

Szuflita always starts by asking parents where they went to school. If they had a good experience, many want to replicate it for their children. If they had a bad one, many are looking for the opposite.

Choosing private or public also doesn’t mean a lifelong decision. Some families might choose public school for early grades and private for high school , or the reverse. Some might start with private, go to public for middle school , and then return to private for high school.

Many parents interested in private school often choose K-12 schools so they don’t have to go through the admission process more than once. But Sharon Decker, co-founder of The Admissions Plan, a private school admissions consulting firm, says she often encourages them to consider K-8 schools.

Decker says it’s often easier – although still not easy – to be accepted into those schools, but more importantly, K-8 schools often have more resources for grades 6-8 since resources aren’t being funneled off to high school.

“For some kids it can be a place to flourish,” Decker says. “Sixth, seventh and eighth graders can really be leaders of the school. Middle school can be crushing, so for the kids in middle school who have the opportunity to lead and shine and be known, it can be really valuable.”

Steps to Take When Choosing a School

Educators and admissions experts agree there are a few things parents should do when deciding on a school.

Talk to Other Parents 

One of the best ways to get the inside scoop on a school is to talk with current parents.

While it’s great to talk with friends or acquaintances about their experience in schools, try to go beyond your own network. Making Caring Common suggests talking to parents outside of your circle to get a more diverse view of schools available.

“The diversity of the student body and staff as well is really important, because your child’s school experience is going to be a huge part in shaping their worldview,” says Bhai.

Being surrounded by people from different backgrounds also helps to develop important skills like empathy and communications. “Those skills are as valuable as strong academics to post-secondary paths,” she says.

Most schools also have a PTA or other parent organization you can reach out to, or check social media for groups associated with the school you’re interested in. And “if your child is really young, strike up conversations with parents at your local playground,” Bhai says.

Schedule a Visit

Going on a school tour is an absolute must, and often a requirement when applying to private schools. Tours paint a fuller picture than a website or brochure about the kind of education you can expect for your child.

In the early grades, there are a few things to look out for. “A lack of student-created work on the walls or work that is exactly the same” is a red flag, Szuflita says. She also recommends checking the bookshelves and seeing if they are filled with literature or textbooks and workbooks.

It gets trickier when students get into middle and high school, but there are still things to watch for.

“Look at how many middle schoolers are on their phone under the desk in the classroom,” Decker says. “If you see the majority are on phones and not interacting, that says something about class culture.”

In high school, look at class size and whether students are in large lecture halls or in small, discussion-based classrooms.

Do Research and Go Beyond Rankings 

Many parents will turn to ratings, rankings and online reviews at some point in the school search. While everyone has an opinion on ratings, almost all agree that they shouldn’t be the only factor in making a decision.

“Anyone can write a review on these sites, and schools can stack the deck” by requesting positive reviews from alums and parents, Decker says.

“Ratings are one part of the puzzle,” says Jon Deane, CEO of GreatSchools, a national nonprofit that provides information and ratings on PK-12 schools. In addition to test scores, GreatSchools factors in a number of metrics, including student progress, college readiness and an equity rating that measures how well a school serves its disadvantaged students. US News' K-8 and high school rankings consider similar factors.

The Department of Education recommends that parents consult their school district’s report card, which includes graduation rates, qualifications of teachers and student state test scores.

Bhai urges parents to look beyond just test scores to judge the quality of a school. One way is to ask districts for a school climate report , a comprehensive assessment that includes metrics like student engagement, school safety and the overall learning environment.

Even as rankings become more holistic in their approach, Deane urges parents to keep their value in perspective.

“A higher-rated school might be right for one parent and not another,” he says. “The ultimate goal is to find the right fit for themselves. We hope rankings are a part of their journey but that they take advantage of all of the information available to them.”

Trust Your Gut  

After all the research and tours and discussions with other parents, choosing a school often comes down to one thing: feel. Trusting your intuition is an important part of the process.

“There’s a certain amount of alchemy and being lucky,” Szuflita says. “If you choose a school only by its status, you’ll make a huge mistake.”

Szuflita also says parents shouldn't forget their child's perspective.

When she was touring schools with one daughter, they visited a school where students gave a presentation. While Szuflita wasn’t blown away, when she looked at her daughter, “her eyes were glowing and she said, ‘This is it. This is where I want to go to school.’”

“And she was right. She sensed that she would fit there,” Szuflita says. “It depends on the kid, but sometimes they can have a sense.”

Explore the 2022 Best STEM High Schools

Tags: K-12 education , education , elementary school , middle school , high school , parenting

2024 Best Colleges

Search for your perfect fit with the U.S. News rankings of colleges and universities.

Popular Stories

Best Colleges

College Admissions Playbook

You May Also Like

Ways students can spend spring break.

Anayat Durrani March 6, 2024

Attending an Online High School

Cole Claybourn Feb. 20, 2024

How to Perform Well on SAT, ACT Test Day

Cole Claybourn Feb. 13, 2024

High School Graduation Rates By State

Sarah Wood Dec. 1, 2023

Charter Schools vs. Public Schools

Jacob Fischler and Cole Claybourn Nov. 14, 2023

Understanding Media Literacy

Cole Claybourn Nov. 14, 2023

504 Plan Versus IEP: A Guide for Parents

Sally Kassab and Cole Claybourn Nov. 14, 2023

Nontraditional Student Admissions

Linda Lee Baird Oct. 31, 2023

Pros, Cons of Working in High School

Lilly Roser Sept. 29, 2023

What to Know About STEM High Schools

Sarah Wood Aug. 29, 2023

• The Pepperland Blog
• Virtual Open House

8 Virtual School Tour Examples

January 25, 2021

Written By: Will Purcell

Similar to test driving a car, or viewing a house, a school’s campus tour can provide comfort and confidence for prospective students where they feel the most “at-home.” That’s why campus tours are one of, if not the most important selling points for enrollment marketers.

However, the recent shift to remote work and distance learning has complicated the entire admissions process. Especially for schools entering their peak yield period with admission counselors seeking to finalize as many deposits as possible, the need for cost-effective innovation is at an all time high. That’s why schools are placing a much larger emphasis on virtual tours .

Free Toolkit – Create Student Personas For Your School

Especially for independent schools offering K-12 classes and higher education institutions, the need for immersive virtual tours is critical for success. Below, we’ve identified eight examples of effective virtual tours and break them down into three categories:

• Budget Friendly
• High Quality

Check out these examples to enhance your school’s virtual tour, or to implement a new tour that best aligns with your school’s marketing strategy and enrollment goals.

Budget-Friendly Examples

Contrary to popular belief, virtual tours can be used by all schools, regardless of their endowment or class size.

If you’re working with limited time and resources, some cost-effective tools for developing a solid virtual tour could include:

• Google Slide Presentations
• Photo albums on Facebook Gallery
• Screen sharing via webinar software

Admissions counselors can utilize these tools to provide valuable and interactive experiences. Here, we’ve provided some examples of schools maximizing these resources to deliver an effective virtual platform for prospective families.

1. Sewickley Academy

Located just outside of Pittsburgh, PA, Sewickley Academy offers a unique set of materials for prospective students and families. The student’s journey is a key component of their virtual resources, which aligns with other inbound-focused content from Sewickley Academy as well.

In particular, their virtual school page provides several resources for both current and prospective families. These resources include virtual school parent testimonials, school student projects, and a comprehensive reopening of school plan, which includes two click-through guides and a link to FAQs as well.

The virtual experience also includes a clickable map with pins highlighting key points on campus. Each pin showcases photos of the facility along with a write-up describing the building’s function, history, and influence.

From helpful links, FAQs, a click-through guide, and parent testimonials, Sewickley Academy provides an excellent list of resources that highlights the social, cultural, and educational aspects of life on campus.

An independent school in Watertown, CT, Taft has a number of virtual resources for prospective students and families to reference in their search for the “right-fit” school.

Specifically, Taft provides an admissions video that highlights school activities, facilities, and buildings. They also provide a comprehensive list of information on their virtual visit page .

From photo galleries, to student interviews, and social links, the virtual visit page gives admissions counselors an invaluable resource to reference when speaking with prospective families about daily student life at Taft. Ultimately, all of these resources help to guide and facilitate prospective students and their families as they progress through their journey to select the right-fit school.

For schools looking to make an investment into a more interactive virtual tour, there are several resources available.

Most notably, schools and businesses alike have used Google’s Street View technology to enhance their presence online. This software uses panoramic photos to give users a unique 360 degree perspective, which for the purposes of a virtual tour, allows users to feel as though they’re actually on campus.

With this format, admissions counselors can showcase life on campus through immersive and visual storytelling. Here are some examples of schools using this software to help potential students in their search for the right fit school.

3. Choate Rosemary Hall

An independent school in Wallingford, CT, Choate Rosemary Hall offers a unique look at their facilities. Listed under the admissions page , Choate offers virtual tour information through an interactive map .

A key factor for this map is that it not only offers an interactive “maps view” with clickable pins for key campus buildings, but also offers a write-up and “mini-tour” video for each building as well.

A listing of thumbnail previews are also placed at the bottom of the screen, which further enhances each user’s tour experience.

Along with the mini-tour videos, Choate also offers several photos in a slideshow format above descriptive text for each specific location on the tour. Overall, Choate’s virtual tour offers prospective students and families an interactive and valuable resource to learn more about their school.

4. Milton Academy

Milton Academy is an independent prep school located just outside of Boston in the town of Milton. Their admissions page offers a number of remote resources for prospective students and families, such as a welcome video, Instagram feed, and links to virtual events.

Towards the bottom of the page, visitors will notice an option to take a virtual tour, which links to an immersive, click-through tour.

As seen in the screenshot above, Milton Academy’s interactive tour allows prospective students to learn about each building on campus, all within the click of a button. Each section of the tour offers detailed information about the specific building with a short video overview in the top left of the screen. These informative videos are hosted by current students as well.

This virtual tour is informative and interactive, which allows prospective students and families to learn more about the school at their own pace.

5. Oxford University

With a click-through tour experience, England’s famous Oxford University uses a similar format found in companies using Google My Business street-view photography.

A comprehensive list of tours is available for prospective students to click through and view immersive photos of Oxford’s dining halls, administrative buildings, dorms, and student life centers.

The click-through street view option is particularly popular with schools and businesses because it provides a high-quality, immersive tour for viewers, but at a reasonable installation price for marketers.

6. Salve Regina University

With a beautiful campus located near the shores of Rhode Island, Salve Regina showcases their facilities with a high-quality 360 campus tour.

The interactive platform showcases panoramic views of 15 different spots across campus, which includes a small library of videos and images for each location as well. These resources highlight quick facts about campus life, the student experience, and more.

This comprehensive tour gives admissions counselors a great resource to utilize when speaking with prospective students. And, by using a 360 interactive tour, prospective students and their families can enjoy an immersive experience of life at Salve Regina.

For schools looking to create a virtual tour that’s fully immersive, there are several resources available for enrollment marketers.

Below, we’ve highlighted two universities that show just how excellent and innovative a virtual school tour can be when maximizing the resources necessary to achieve such a large and comprehensive platform.

7. Kean University

Located in New Jersey, Kean University has several interactive tools for virtual tours. In particular, Kean utilizes virtual reality to provide prospective students with a comprehensive 360 view of campus.

In addition to providing two campus tour videos — one as a standard campus tour and another as an interactive video tour — prospective students can request their own pair of virtual reality goggles for a fully comprehensive experience. This particular tour is also offered in standard definition with an interactive map providing 360 degree views of campus.

With these tools, admissions counselors at Kean can offer prospective students and families with a fully immersive, and quite frankly, unparalleled virtual experience.

8. Kent State University

Kent State University takes the virtual tour experience to the next level by integrating an interactive click-through map with virtual reality and 360 panoramic views.

Utilizing VR software compatible with smartphones and VR headsets, prospective students can view points of interest on campus in a truly immersive way. A virtual host guides viewers through each tour landmark, providing useful information and highlights for each.

For prospective students seeking insight from current students and faculty, Kent State provides a video library of information as well.

Overall, Kent State provides a truly comprehensive and immersive virtual tour experience for users to enjoy while gathering valuable information for their school search.

Maximize Virtual Tours for your Prospective Students

As you can see, there are a number of options when it comes to finding the right tour for your school. Moreover, these examples prove that an effective tour doesn’t require a massive sacrifice of time or resources.

Regardless of your budget or aspirations for your virtual tour, it’s important to remember your student’s journey when selecting the right school. Find out what makes your school unique and align those characteristics within your virtual tour to develop a story arc for prospective students and their families.

Like it? Share it!

Stay updated.

Join our email list to get a weekly digest of the latest content published by the Pepperland Marketing team.

Other Content You Might Enjoy

How to Create a Social Media Calendar to Plan your Content

Share this post.

In today's digital landscape, where social media has become an essential platform for communication and engagement,...

How To Build a Strong Social Media Team in Higher Education

Social media has become an essential part of our daily lives and transformed the way higher education institutions...

5 Types of Content to Include in your College's Instagram Strategy

As enrollment marketers, we are constantly trying to find new ways to reach potential students. The new generation of...

6 Examples of Successful Higher Education Instagram Campaigns

Executing unique Instagram campaigns is just as important as your routine daily posts. Even though the two may seem...

24 Statistics Proving The Power Of Instagram In Higher Education

As more college-aged students join Instagram, using the platform as a marketing tool grows more beneficial....

5 Reasons Why an SEO Audit is Worth The Money in 2023

It’s impossible to overstate the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) for today’s organizations. A...

120 Elm St Cheshire, CT, USA

Hours (EST):

Monday to Friday: 9:00 to 5:00 pm

Saturday: closed

Sunday: closed

• Traffic Growth
• Lead Generation
• Customer Acquisition
• Website Performance
• Better Utilize Tech
• Turn Insights Into Action
• Strategic Programs
• Tactical Support
• Inbound Enrollment
• Join Our Team
• Higher Education
• Private & Independent Schools

Copyright 2024 Pepperland Marketing, LLC. All rights reserved.

Breaking News

‘Frozen in time’: Kamala Harris tours blood-stained building where 2018 Parkland massacre happened

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

Vice President Kamala Harris toured the blood-stained classroom building where the 2018 Parkland high school massacre happened, then announced a program to assist states that have laws allowing police to temporarily seize guns from people judges have found to be dangerous.

Harris saw bullet-pocked walls and floors still covered in dried blood and broken glass left behind from the Feb. 14, 2018, attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 14 students and three staff members and wounded 17 people.

The halls and classrooms inside the three-story structure remain strewn with shoes left behind by fleeing students as well as wilted Valentine’s Day flowers and balloons. Textbooks, laptop computers, snacks and papers remain on desks.

Harris was told about each victim who died.

“Frozen in time,” Harris said repeatedly during the tour. She was accompanied by victims’ family members, some of them pushing for more spending on school safety and others for stronger gun laws.

Harris, who leads the new White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, said there are lessons to be learned from Parkland, both for stopping school shootings before they happen and mitigating them with measures such as making sure classroom doors don’t lock from the outside as they did at Stoneman Douglas. She pointed out that shootings are a leading cause of death for children and teenagers.

“We must be willing to have the courage to say that on every level, whether you talk about changing laws or changing practices and protocols, that we must do better,” Harris said.

World & Nation

Must Reads: A year after the Parkland massacre, two fathers are divided on guns but united by pain

Andrew Pollack had just settled into a folding chair in a palm-shaded campground when gunfire rang out from a nearby target range.

Feb. 13, 2019

At Stoneman Douglas, former student Nikolas Cruz , then 19, fired about 140 shots from his AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle during his six-minute attack, moving methodically from the first floor, through the second and on to the third.

He pleaded guilty in 2021 . He was sentenced to life in prison in 2022 after his jury couldn’t unanimously agree he deserved a death sentence, angering the victims’ families.

The building was preserved so his jury could tour it. It has loomed over the 3,600-student school from behind a temporary fence since the school reopened two weeks after the shooting. It is scheduled to be demolished this summer. No replacement plan has been announced.

After Harris’ tour, she announced a $750-million grant program to provide technical assistance and training to Florida and the other 20 states that have similar “red flag laws.”

Florida’s law allows police officers, with a judge’s permission, to temporarily seize guns belonging to anyone shown to be a danger to others or themselves. The statute has been used more than 12,000 times since it was enacted six years ago in response to the Parkland shooting.

Harris also called on both Congress and states without red flag laws to adopt them. The Biden administration has called for a national red flag law.

Cruz had a long history of troubling and bizarre behavior, including animal torture. In the weeks before the shooting, he had been reported to local law enforcement and the FBI by people fearing he was planning a mass shooting, but no action was taken. He legally purchased 10 guns in the 17 months between his 18th birthday and the massacre.

“Red flag laws are simply designed to give communities a vehicle through which they can share ... information about the concern of potential danger or the crying out for help,” Harris said.

Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican who signed Florida’s law as governor in 2018 shortly after the Parkland shooting, issued a statement Saturday calling the Biden administration’s proposed national red flag law “radical,” saying it would be modeled on California’s law and strip gun owners of their rights. California’s law is broader than Florida’s as it allows family members, employers and others to initiate the process, but the removal also has to be approved by a judge.

California’s law “abandons due process to more quickly and easily take constitutional rights away from law-abiding Americans. That is unacceptable,” Scott said.

Harris’ tour was the latest by elected officials and law enforcement and education leaders in recent months. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona toured the building in January and several members of Congress, mostly Democrats, have gone through since law enforcement returned custody of the building to the school district last summer. FBI Director Christopher Wray and Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle visited the building in recent days.

“It is important to bring these people through the building so they can see not only the horror that still exists there, but so that we can point to the exact things that failed,” said Tony Montalto, president of Stand With Parkland, the group that represents most of the victims’ families. His 14-year-old daughter, Gina, died in the shooting.

Some Stoneman Douglas families who participate in the tours want the sale of AR-15s and similar guns banned, as they were from 1994 to 2004, as do Harris and President Biden, but there isn’t sufficient support in Congress. Opponents, which include other victims’ families, argue that such a ban would violate the 2nd Amendment and do little to stem gun violence.

Kamala Harris, in San Francisco, outlines ‘profound’ stakes of election, raises her own profile

Vice President Kamala Harris returned to San Francisco to collect some campaign cash and make the case for democracy being at stake in the 2024 election.

March 12, 2024

Linda Beigel Schulman said the tour showed Harris the carnage a mass shooting creates — it no longer will be an abstract concept. Beigel Schulman’s 35-year-old son, geography teacher Scott Beigel, was killed as he ushered students to safety in his classroom. The papers he was grading when the shooting began remain on his desk.

“She understands how important gun violence prevention is for us,” Beigel Schulman said of the vice president. “But when you go into the actual building and see what actually happened, it doesn’t matter that it is six years later, it really does something to you.”

Max Schachter, whose son Alex died in the shooting, uses the tours to persuade officials to enact school safety measures such as making doors and windows bullet-resistant. Alex, 14, died from shots fired through the window of his classroom’s door.

Schachter said while there is disagreement over gun laws, school safety brings the sides together. He pointed particularly to a fall visit by Utah officials leading to that state enacting a $100-million plan to harden its schools.

“I couldn’t save Alex, but every time I have officials come through that building, lives are saved,” Schachter said.

Spencer writes for the Associated Press.

More to Read

In a first, Vice President Harris tours Minnesota clinic that performs abortions

March 14, 2024

Fake blood and gunfire? A California lawmaker wants to create rules for shooter drills

San Gabriel principal on leave after pretending to shoot kids during drill, parents say

Feb. 9, 2024

Start your day right

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Biden, at risk with young voters, is racing to shift marijuana policy

Vice President Harris and Guatemalan leader Arévalo discuss immigration

March 25, 2024

Kamala Harris marks first visit to Puerto Rico as vice president, drawing some protests

March 22, 2024

Biden courts Latino voters and presses housing affordability, manufacturing in Nevada and Arizona

March 20, 2024

Things to Do in Mytishchi, Russia - Mytishchi Attractions

Things to do in mytishchi.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Budget-friendly
• Adventurous
• Good for Couples
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Fest Mytishchi Drama and Comedy Theater

2. Kva-Kva Park

3. Mytishchi Park of Culture and Leisure

4. Moscow Brewing Company

5. Mytischi Historical Art Museum

6. Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin

7. Ice Palace Arena Mytischi

8. Touching Zoo White Kangaroo

9. Ognivo Mytishchi Municipal Puppet Theater

10. Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

11. Petrushkina Sloboda

12. Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ

13. Mytishi Art Gallery

14. Monument to Plane Po-2

15. AV-Park

16. Don Temple

18. Mytishhi Museum of Conservation

19. Zamania

20. XL Family Outlet

21. Perlovskiy Park

22. Monument Self-Propelled Gun ZSU-23-4 Shilka

23. Monument Samovar

24. Brigantina Swimming Pool

25. Museum of Einstein

26. Church of St. Nicholas

27. Temple of the Introductions of the Blessed Virgin

28. Sculpture of Street Sweeper

29. Temple of the Healer Panteleimon

Kamala Harris tours Florida's blood-stained Parkland school building

As the Biden administration's efforts to reduce gun violence in the U.S., Vice President Kamala Harris visited Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida — the site of the 2018 mass shooting where 17 people were murdered. 

Vice President Harris used the visit to pay respects, but also to focus on how the administration plans to address gun violence, meeting with ten families of victims on Saturday; she walked through the halls and classrooms of the school. 

Just before 4 p.m. ET Vice President Harris went into the school's gym, and then was led into the freshman building where the shooting took place — it had been preserved since Feb. 14th, 2018. The building is scheduled to be demolished this year,  according to Broward Schools . 

"This school is soon going to be torn down but the memory of it will never be erased," the vice president said. 

Family members held up photos of their loved ones on Saturday during Vice President Harris' visit. 

"I do believe we have a duty to remember and to bear witness to what happened here. It is extraordinarily tragic," the vice president said. "These were beautiful people who I've come to know through their family members. They are so much bigger and more than statistics. They should be so much bigger and more than subjects to politics or gamesmanship."

The vice president noted that the desks in one area were still in the same configuration as they were on the day of the shooting.

"What I saw then here after, I spent time with the families during the walk through of the building where these crimes occurred, is a moment frozen in time," she said. "We must do better."

During the penalty phase of the trial for the shooter, the jury was taken to view the school. A small group of journalists were allowed to walk through the campus as part of the trial's proceedings. Descriptions at the time indicated pieces of a normal school day, like notes and dry erase board writings — things that were left in place among the bullet holes and blood stains. Court TV is among the  press who have visited . 

Those visiting the school with the vice president Saturday included U.S. Representative Jared Moskowitz, State Attorney Harold Pryor, and members of the Broward County State Attorney's Office, the White House said.

SEE MORE: School building where Parkland massacre happened will be demolished

Vice President Harris announced the launch of a new resource center focused on the implementation of red flag laws called the National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center. The White House said it would be the first of its kind. 

The Biden administration called on states to pass and implement legislation, including red flag laws, and urged the use of federal funds — including $750 million — for state crisis intervention programs.

"Part of why I'm here today is to challenge every state to pass a red flag law," Vice President Harris said during Saturday's visit in Parkland. 

Combating gun violence has been one of the top priorities expressed by the Biden administration. Last year the White House announced the creation of the Office on Gun Violence Prevention  which would be overseen by Vice President Harris as part of the administration's work to reduce gun violence. 

President Joe Biden has called on Congress to commit to further action to find a way to lessen gun violence across the country, including a push to try and ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines; also by passing universal background checks.

The 17 people killed at the school include, Alyssa Alhadeff, Scott Beigel, Martin Duque, Nicholas Dworet, Aaron Feis, Jaime Guttenberg, Athletic Director Chris Hixon, Luke Hoyer, Cara Loughran, Gina Montalto, Joaquin Oliver, Alaina Petty, Meadow Pollack, Helena Ramsay, Alex Schachter, Carmen Schentrup and Peter Wang. 

Each of  their families told of how they were great siblings ; sons and daughters, some mothers and fathers. Their families loved them deeply and still advocate for measures to quell gun violence in the United States so that other families don't have to experience the same grief and pain.

A memorial for the victims of Parkland stands as a low brick wall in a half circle with photos of each of the 14 students and three staff members killed that day. There is writing under the photos and a rose placed beneath. Four benches are in the garden area between the schools buildings. 

On Saturday, Vice President Harris was silent as she stopped at each photo to pay respects. 

In 2022, Lori Jane Gliha  reported on federal funds  that were expected at the time to be used to pass red flag laws, and how states were dealing with gun violence. 

In Denver, police used Colorado's red flag laws to prohibit potentially dangerous individuals from gaining possession of firearms. Under the state's law, a judge can grant an Extreme Risk Protection Order to temporarily block possession of firearms if the judge believes a person poses a danger to themselves or others.

Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com

• Saguaro National Park gets new superintendent to protect iconic cacti
• With all the recent headlines about plane incidents, is flying safe?
• Opposing bills on LGBTQ+ representation in schools advance in 2 states

Report a typo

Sign up for the Morning Headlines Newsletter and receive up to date information.

Now signed up to receive the morning headlines newsletter..

Read more about Scripps News here

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• March Madness
• AP Top 25 Poll
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

‘Frozen in time.’ Kamala Harris tours bloodstained building where 2018 Parkland massacre happened

Vice President Kamala Harris toured on Saturday the classroom building where the 2018 Parkland high school massacre happened, then announced a program to assist states that have laws allowing police to temporarily seize guns from people judges have found to be dangerous.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to the media after she and the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention met with families whose loved ones were murdered during the 2018 mass shooting that took the lives of 14 students and three staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Saturday, March 23, 2024. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald via AP)

• Copy Link copied

The family of students who were killed during the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School six years earlier react as Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a visit to the school in Parkland, Fla., Saturday, March 23, 2024. From left to right are: Tony and Jennifer Montalto, parents of Gina; Anne Ramsay, mother of Helena, and Fred and Jennifer Guttenberg, parents of Jaime. Harris and the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention met with families whose loved ones were murdered during the 2018 mass shooting that took the lives of 14 students and three staff members. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald via AP)

Vice President Kamala Harris departs after speaking to the media at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Saturday, March 23, 2024. Harris and the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention met with families whose loved ones were murdered during the 2018 mass shooting that took the lives of 14 students and three staff members. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald via AP)

FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2018 photo, a police car drives by Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., as students returned to class for the first time since a former student opened fire there with an assault weapon. Vice President Kamala Harris will tour on Saturday, March 23, 2024, the blood-stained classroom building where the 2018 Parkland high school massacre happened, accompanied by some victims’ family members who are pushing for stricter gun laws and improved school safety. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2019, photo, a bicyclist rides past a sign at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Vice President Kamala Harris will tour on Saturday, March 23, 2024, the blood-stained classroom building where the 2018 Parkland high school massacre happened, accompanied by some victims’ family members who are pushing for stricter gun laws and improved school safety. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, File)

PARKLAND, Fla. (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris toured on Saturday the bloodstained classroom building where the 2018 Parkland high school massacre happened, then announced a program to assist states that have laws allowing police to temporarily seize guns from people judges have found to be dangerous.

Harris saw bullet-pocked walls and floors still covered in dried blood and broken glass left behind from the Feb. 14, 2018, attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 14 students and three staff members and wounded 17.

The halls and classrooms inside the three-story structure remain strewn with shoes left behind by fleeing students and wilted Valentine’s Day flowers and balloons. Textbooks, laptop computers, snacks and papers remain on desks. She was told about each victim who died.

“Frozen in time,” Harris said repeatedly about what she saw. She was accompanied on the tour by victims’ family members, some of them pushing for more spending on school safety and others for stronger gun laws.

Harris, who leads the new White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, said there are lessons to be learned from Parkland, both for stopping school shootings before they happen and mitigating them with measures such as making sure classroom doors don’t lock from the outside as they did at Stoneman Douglas. She pointed out that shootings are a leading cause of death for children and teenagers.

“We must be willing to have the courage to say that on every level, whether you talk about changing laws or changing practices and protocols, that we must do better,” Harris said.

At Stoneman Douglas, former student Nikolas Cruz, then 19, fired about 140 shots from his AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle during his six-minute attack, moving methodically from the first floor, through the second and onto the third.

He pleaded guilty in 2021 . He was sentenced to life in prison in 2022 after his jury couldn’t unanimously agree he deserved a death sentence, angering the victims’ families .

The building was preserved so his jury could tour it. It has loomed over the 3,600-student school from behind a temporary fence since the school reopened two weeks after the shooting. It is scheduled to be demolished this summer. No replacement plan has been announced.

Following Harris’ tour, she announced a $750 million grant program to provide technical assistance and training to Florida and the other 20 states that have similar “red flag laws.”

Florida’s law allows police officers, with a judge’s permission, to temporarily seize guns belonging to anyone shown to be a danger to others or themselves. The statute has been used more than 12,000 times since it was enacted six years ago in response to the Parkland shooting.

Harris also called on both Congress and states without red flag laws to adopt them. The Biden administration has called for a national red flag law.

Cruz had a long history of troubling and bizarre behavior before the shooting, including animal torture. In the weeks before the shooting, he had been reported to local law enforcement and the FBI by people fearing he was planning a mass shooting, but no action was taken. He legally purchased 10 guns in the 17 months between his 18th birthday and the massacre.

“Red flag laws are simply designed to give communities a vehicle through which they can share ... information about the concern of potential danger or the crying out for help,” Harris said.

Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican who signed Florida’s red flag law as governor, issued a statement Saturday calling the Biden administration’s proposed national red flag law “radical,” saying it would be modeled on California’s statute and strip gun owners of their rights. California’s law is broader than Florida’s as it allows family members, employers and others to initiate the process, but the removal also has to be approved by a judge.

California’s law “abandons due process to more quickly and easily take constitutional rights away from law-abiding Americans. That is unacceptable,” Scott said.

Harris’ tour was the latest by elected officials and law enforcement and education leaders in recent months. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona toured it in January, and several members of Congress, mostly Democrats, have gone through since law enforcement returned custody of the building to the school district last summer. FBI Director Christopher Wray and Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle visited the building in recent days.

“It is important to bring these people through the building so they can see not only the horror that still exists there, but so that we can point to the exact things that failed,” said Tony Montalto, president of Stand With Parkland, the group that represents most of the victims’ families. His 14-year-old daughter Gina died in the shooting.

Some Stoneman Douglas families who participate in the tours, along with Harris and President Joe Biden, want the sale of AR-15s and similar guns banned, as they were from 1994 to 2004, but there isn’t sufficient support in Congress. Opponents, which include other victims’ families, argue that such a ban would violate the Second Amendment and do little to stem gun violence.

Linda Beigel Schulman said the tour showed Harris the carnage a mass shooting creates — it no longer will be an abstract concept for her. Beigel Schulman’s 35-year-old son, geography teacher Scott Beigel, was killed as he ushered students to safety in his classroom. The papers he was grading when the shooting began remain on his desk.

“She understands how important gun violence prevention is for us,” Beigel Schulman said of the vice president. “But when you go into the actual building and see what actually happened, it doesn’t matter that it is six years later. It really does something to you.”

Max Schachter, whose son Alex died in the shooting, uses the tours to persuade officials to enact school safety measures such as making doors and windows bullet-resistant. Alex, 14, died from shots fired through the window of his classroom’s door.

Schachter said while there is disagreement over gun laws, school safety brings the sides together. He pointed particularly to a fall visit by Utah officials, leading to that state enacting a $100 million plan to harden its schools.

“I couldn’t save Alex. But every time I have officials come through that building, lives are saved,” Schachter said.

• Order Status
• Shipping & Delivery
• Order Cancellation
• Size Charts
• Promotions & Discounts
• Product Advice
• Send Us Feedback

Popular Search Terms

• Air Force 1

Top Suggestions

Members: Free Shipping on Orders $50+

Spring Sale: Use code SPRING for up to 50% off.

Look for Store Pickup at Checkout

Nike Dri-FIT ADV Tour

Men's camo golf polo.

Select Size

This product is made with 100% recycled polyester fibers

Our camo Tour Polo is all about consistent performance with a stretchy, sweat-wicking feel that helps you get the most out your swing. Data from golfers like you helped us place breathable textures at the front and back, so you stay cool and the fabric doesn't cling. We picked a length that allows you to wear it tucked or untucked, any time of year.

• Shown: Summit White/White/Black
• Style: DR5312-121

Size & Fit

• Model is wearing size M and is 6′1″/185cm
• Standard fit: easy and traditional

Shipping & Returns

How this was made.

• The recycled polyester used in Nike products begins as recycled plastic bottles, which are cleaned, shredded into flakes and converted into pellets. From there, the pellets are spun into new, high-quality yarn used in our products, delivering peak performance with a lower impact on the environment.
• In addition to reducing waste, recycled polyester reduces carbon emissions by up to 30% compared to virgin polyester. Nike diverts an average of 1 billion plastic bottles annually from landfills and waterways.
• Learn more about our Move to Zero journey towards zero carbon and zero waste, including how we're working to design product with sustainability in mind and help protect the future of where we live and play.

Reviews (7)

Write a Review

Amazing Nike Polos

Big Bear - Feb 28, 2024

I bought these polos for my Golf Team and they are great material, fit well and they look great

Golfie - Jan 26, 2024

Use for activities, cordial wear, and relaxing atmosphere. Runs a slight tight.

Great product

Jaime - Dec 22, 2023

Amazing polo! Nike never disappoints! Super lightweight and comfortable!

More Reviews

Complete the Look

• Nike Dri-FIT ADV technology combines moisture-wicking fabric with advanced engineering and features to help you stay dry and comfortable.
• Stretchy knit fabric lets you get the most out of your swing.
• Breathable camo textures at the front and back help you stay cool and comfortable.

Product Details

• 2-button placket
• Split side vents
• Set-in sleeves
• Bonded hem and side vents
• 100% polyester
• Machine wash

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Mytishchi on your mind?

Top places to visit

1 kva-kva park.

Explore nearby places

• Lesnyye Polyany
• Dolgoprudny
• Zagoryanskiy
• Ptitsefabriki
• Pekhra-Pokrovskoye
• Ivanovskoye
• Bratovshhina
• Likino-Dulevo

All related maps of Mytishchi

• Map of Mytishchi
• Map of Korolev
• Map of Zdravnitsa
• Map of Nagornoye
• Map of Yubileyny
• Map of Cherkizovo
• Map of Boltino
• Map of Pirogovo
• Map of Pogorelki
• Map of Tarasovka
• Map of Sorokino
• Map of Lesnyye Polyany
• Map of Povedniki
• Map of Ostashkovo
• Map of Oboldino
• Map of Zhostovo
• Map of Suponevo
• Map of Dolgoprudny
• Map of Zagoryanskiy
• Map of Izmaylovo
• Map of Moskovsky
• Map of Ptitsefabriki
• Map of Pekhra-Pokrovskoye
• Map of Ivanovskoye
• Map of Komyagino
• Map of Yuryevo
• Map of Bratovshhina
• Map of Fedoskino
• Map of Danki
• Map of Shatura
• Map of Likino-Dulevo

Mytishchi throughout the year

• Mytishchi in January
• Mytishchi in February
• Mytishchi in March
• Mytishchi in April
• Mytishchi in May
• Mytishchi in June
• Mytishchi in July
• Mytishchi in August
• Mytishchi in September
• Mytishchi in October
• Mytishchi in November
• Mytishchi in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Mytishchi?

Get inspired for your trip to Mytishchi with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Mytishchi Itinerary
• 2-Day Mytishchi Itinerary
• 3-Day Mytishchi Itinerary