DuPage High School District 88 is planning events at both of its high schools to introduce freshmen to their new environments.

“It’s a great opportunity to welcome the incoming class,” district spokeswoman Sherri Amsler said.

Willowbrook High School in Villa Park will host its eighth annual Freshmen Fling from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20, for the approximately 535 incoming members of the class of 2011. The event will include an ice cream social, games, prize giveaways and a disc jockey.

“It’s a very dynamic social evening,” Amsler said. “It brings together all of the different schools. ... It’s a fun way to start the school year.”

Districts 45 and 44, along with private schools, feed into Willowbrook, said Travis Wolff, assistant athletic director and activities director at the high school.

“It’s like an ice breaker,” Wolff said. “They get a feel for the school, ... meet familiar faces and maybe even a friend that they have something in common with.”

Students will register for classes next week. They will get their schedules that night and have a chance to explore the high school.

Teachers and some upperclassmen will be on hand to answer questions and help the incoming freshmen. Wolff expects at least half of the new students to attend.

Students must present their school identification card to participate.

Addison Trail in Addison will welcome its fresh faces on Monday through a mentor program called Freshmen Are Students Too. Upperclass students have volunteered to mentor their younger counterparts from 2 to 5 p.m.

“It’s to just offer a welcome wagon for the incoming freshmen,” teacher Jenna Mikolajczak said.

Unlike Willowbrook, where the freshmen event is strictly voluntary, the Addison Trail event is treated like it’s mandatory, Mikolajczak said. The day’s activities include an administrative greeting, a class photo, sessions with teachers to discuss school expectations and support systems, and question-and-answer sessions facilitated by the student mentors.

“It’s an opportunity for them to walk through the hallways and interact with the upperclass students, walk to where their lockers will be, where their classes will be,” Amsler said.

Students will be broken down by their “house,” the 80-student groups the classes are divided by, and should know what color their house is by a postcard sent out earlier this summer, Mikolajczak said.

Amsler said the upperclassmen enjoy the event as well.

“It’s a neat opportunity for them to share their experiences,” she said. “They’re able to encourage the students to get involved, to focus on their studies.”