Freshman Transition
Link Crew is a high school transition program that welcomes freshman and makes them feel comfortable throughout the first year of their high school experience. Freshman involved with this program have increased attendance, decreased discipline referrals and improved academic performance. The goal is to provide schools with a structure in which students make real connections with each other.
Link Crew begins with a powerful orientation day that helps to excite freshmen about attending their new high school and allows them to begin developing relationships that will contribute to their success. Built on the belief that students can help students succeed, Link Crew trains members of the junior and senior classes to be Link Leaders. Link Leaders are the motivators, the leaders and the teachers who guide the freshmen to discover what it takes to be successful in high school.
At General McLane there are 40 upperclassmen who, along with their advisors Mr. Wible and Mr. Delsandro, received two days of training over the summer to become Link Leaders. As the new school year approaches the freshmen are assigned to a Leader who will serve as a mentor and friend for the year. Once the “crews” are formed, invitations to orientation are sent and followed up with a reminder phone call to each freshmen.
Orientation day begins with an assembly, led by the advisors or coordinators, and the students then meet within their groups with their leaders for a day of introductions and activities. At the conclusion of the day, students once again join in an assembly which leaves them all energized and excited about the up coming school year.
After orientation, Link Crew continues, providing a variety of both Academic and Social Follow Up Activities throughout the year. Academic Follow Ups are lessons presented by trained Link Leaders during visits to freshman classes; Social Follow Ups are events organized by the Coordinator team in which the freshman and Leaders attend fun school sponsored social events together.
At General McLane there are 40 upperclassmen who, along with their advisors Mr. Wible and Mr. Delsandro, received two days of training over the summer to become Link Leaders. As the new school year approaches the freshmen are assigned to a Leader who will serve as a mentor and friend for the year. Once the “crews” are formed, invitations to orientation are sent and followed up with a reminder phone call to each freshmen.