Violets 101: A Violet's Guide to Marlborough Life

One hundred thirty-five new Marlborough students arrived on campus the week before classes began, ready to dive into Violets 101, Marlborough’s version of new student orientation. The energy was infectious as faculty, staff, and enthusiastic student volunteers welcomed these newest Violets, setting the stage for two days of discovery, connection, and preparation for their Marlborough journey. 

Middle School Head Dr. Sean Fitts opened with remarks that highlighted Marlborough’s core values and introduced the theme for the year: Champion Inclusion. “Our theme for the year is Champion Inclusion. A core value that goes hand-in-hand with that is Be Kind,” he shared. “Everyone might be feeling a little nervous and a little anxious to be at a new place, so let’s remember our core values and Be Kind.”

Dean of Students Dr. Kendall Beeman reinforced this message of welcome and inclusion, encouraging students to “get to know new people. Even if you came with friends from your old school, use these two days to meet new people and make everyone feel like they’re included.” 

The Violets 101 program offered something for everyone while fostering connections that make Marlborough special. 7th graders embarked on a scavenger hunt “quest” to get to know campus, while 8th-11th graders joined the expert technology team to set up accounts and prepare for day one of classes. Throughout both days, new students got to know their way around campus—identifying where each of their classrooms is located, meeting new friends, and capturing their first school photo as Marlborough students. A particular highlight was the program fair, where returning students’ enthusiasm was so contagious that joyful screams, cheers, and animated chatter echoed throughout campus as they shared their passion for Marlborough’s many opportunities. 

Balancing structured learning with organic relationship building, Violets 101 created space for new students to connect with returning students and each other. Fueled by delicious snacks and armed with new school gear, the newest Violets absorbed lessons about the community’s core values and traditions. In a moment that perfectly captured the Marlborough spirit, returning students taught the newcomers the words and melody of the century-old “Alma Mater,” their voices joining together in a powerful display of purple pride.

By the program’s end, what had begun as a group of nervous newcomers had transformed into confident community members. The two-day experience ensured that when classes officially began, these 135 new Violets would walk through Marlborough’s doors not as strangers, but as integral parts of the community—prepared, excited, and embraced by their peers and faculty alike.