Members of next year's freshman class at Red Bank Regional will get to know each other a little sooner than usual with an inter-district event scheduled for eighth graders on Friday, capping off the state's Week of Respect.

The event, to be held at Markham Place School in Little Silver from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will bring together the approximately 230 eighth-graders from the district's four sending schools. Eighth-grade teachers, guidance counselors and administrators from Markham Place, Red Bank Middle School, Shrewsbury Borough School and Red Bank Charter School will join administrators from RBR to help demystify the high school experience for students and introduce them to their peers.

“While RBR does offer a freshman orientation and summer freshman transition program, each of our sending districts, as well as the high school, recognize the importance of getting our students together prior to their appearance at the high school doors," said RBR Superintendent Dr. Jim Stefankiewicz.

Students will participate in icebreaker exercises and hit the fields outside for activities like foam javelin toss and pizza box races before a barbecue with Little Silver Police officers manning the grills tops off the event.

The high school hopes the other schools take turns throughout the year hosting events to continue fostering familiarity with the inter-district students.

"We are all committed in ensuring that all students are well prepared for high school, not just academically but socially and emotionally as well,” said Stefankiewicz.