Link Crew connects freshmen

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August 21, 2014 - 12:00 AM

Long gone are the days where freshmen would show up for their first day of high school feeling lost and intimidated. Hazing? Not in this town. Iola High School has been taking care of its own for about eight years with Link Crew, an orientation program that uses upper level classmates to act as the welcoming committee and tour guides, then continue to work with younger students throughout the year.
Amy Shannon, art teacher at IHS, said the program tries to promote a positive beginning for freshmen, because research indicates this can lead to better retention and graduation rates later in their high school careers.
Incoming freshmen started their day on Wednesday with a large group assembly before breaking into smaller groups for activities to help them break the ice. The Link Crew then took them on a guided tour to show them where their classes are located, the administrative office, counselor and other resources they might need.
Principal Stacey Fager said the program makes a big difference for new students.
“It makes them more a part of the high school from day one,” he said.
The high school’s dropout rate has gone down dramatically since Fager arrived in 2007, but the improvements could be attributed to a number of programs the school has adopted over the last few years. In addition to Link Crew, the school also has a leadership program that gets students to work with elementary children. In 2008, a Web-based summer school and credit recovery program was created to help students catch up with their peers more quickly if they needed to retake a class.
“That’s been tremendous in getting kids back on track,” Fager said.
Finally, the school has made radical changes to its disciplinary system, giving teachers a more hands-on role. In spring of 2008, they adopted Larry Thompson’s “Give ‘Em 5” discipline model, a program that has since been renamed “Responsibility-Centered Discipline.” As the name suggests, it focuses on resolving issues and keeping students in the classroom instead of just sending them to the office for punishment. By training all school faculty in the program, it keeps discipline more consistent and effective.
Two years ago, they received money from a Safe and Secure Schools Grant, which allowed them to purchase Power 2 Achieve, a program that teaches character development. The lessons focus on anything from manners to proper cell phone etiquette by using lectures, class projects and even role playing. The program is used in all grades, K-12, in the school district.
Fager said character intervention and development was key to helping children understand what is good behavior. Even custodial workers, he said, have noted that students are more polite and treat them better. Not only does this provide a more positive environment to live and work in, but it also contributes to better academics. Good behavior means less distraction in the classroom, and less distraction means more lessons are covered.
“I would say character has a direct correlation with achievement,” Fager said.
The goal is to make sure that all students graduate high school. While this is a difficult goal, Fager believes it is not impossible; the number of students who drop out has gone from double digits to single digits and is still improving, he said.
Iola High School has been nationally recognized for its improvements, winning the Promising Practices in Character Education award by Character Education Partnership in 2010, 2011 and 2012. It was also one of two schools chosen as CEP’s Kansas School of Character 2012-2014.
“That’s something we’re very proud of,” Fager said.

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