As a high school administrator, I oversee our school's Freshman Transition efforts. As a consultant with Solutions, etc. I help school meet their Freshman Transition needs.
I think this is great...especially for this to be my first year working with freshmen! I'm looking forward to being inspired as I try to motivate and encourage these seemingly unmotivatable (word?) students. Thanks for the invite!
I think this program sounds wonderful. I created a program for our 5th graders moving into the middle school and I know what a difference that made. I am trying to work with our hight school to create a transition program for our outgoing 8th graders. Thanks for writing.
Thanks for the opportunity to join this group. I attended your conference in October of 2006 in Charlotte, NC. I am currently the 9 Transition Director of Pine Ridge High School in Deltona, FL which is in Volusia County (Daytona Beach). We started our program five years ago and have seen our first group graduate last year. We had started a little different than your program, but at the time we didn't have a model to follow. We take the most "at risk" students and try to encourage them and follow them through to graduation. It is difficult at times, but very rewarding because most of them DO graduate and have gone on to college, something they never believed they could do.
However, our state has hit hard economic times and we don't know if we will be able to continue in the format we currently use. Our team has already been dropped from four to three and we aren't sure what the new year will hold. Since we service those at risk, we only have about 45 students that remain with us all day and take only one elective away from us. We are proud of the fact that we teach the core subjects (things required for graduation) and our students receive their credits.
Again, thanks for the opportunity to share what we are doing and find out how others are managing in these difficult times.
No we don't. I am afraid that I am not real computer literate. That is something we are planning for the future (next term) if we are not cut from our district's budget. We have been given some time to revamp the program to service 180 students (normal class sizes) which we are now working on. I have taken your plan that is used in Virginia and are adapting it for us. I am hoping this will work for us with what the district is expecting - service for those "at-risk" students. Thanks
Thank you so much. I did send this website to my 9th grade house leader here at Pine Ridge and she is behind us 100% percent. The problem is our district has lost about 50 million dollars this year alone in state funding. Some due to loss of enrollment, but most from funding cuts from the state level. All of Florida is hurting, but Volusia county took a big hit. We are going to do what we can and I will ask what else we can do. Please be assured, I am willing to do whatever it takes for my kids to be successful. We are the last stop before dropping out for most of our students.
I have two responses to the survey thus far. I am very hopeful that others will begin to respond in the very near future. I would like to have my documentation together this upcoming week.
Yeah, the pink might be too overwhelming for me... I haven't decided just yet! And by the way, things are really starting to come together for our new transition program. We're going to be using a lot of ideas that we learned at the conference!
Thank you for looking at it, however, I have not been as active lately due to everything else going on. My goal is to consolidate everything to this site so my parents, colleagues, students, etc. have one place to receive updates and information. Thank you for providing this!
Hi Scott, I won't turn down being a featured member. I'll respond whenever I have something of value to add, even if its just a birthday wish. Thank you for the offer.
Thank You! You have no idea how frustrating it's been thus far. I've purchased your book, though have to have a paper and PPT ready on the action research for the 12th. Am not sure exactly how to proceed since I'm still looking for any documentation of what was done last year and how they intend to tweak it except for adding some higher level freshmen to the mix. Will let you know how I fare later on today.
Hi Scott,
I drove to Toronto. I stopped for a day at Niagara Falls on the way. I had a beautiful day there and got to see several full arch rainbows!!! The gardens near the falls were beautiful. Toronto was primarily for business, the American Psychological Association convention. The conference was fine, but attendance seemed much lighter than in previous years. This was especially noticeable with the high school teachers. My session, Games To Explain Human Factors: Come, Participate, Learn, Have Fun! was very successful, although the attendance was a bit lighter than usual and the room lighting was a bit less than ideal for building a photo album. Thank you for asking...
You know I was thinking of definitely encouraging some of our new teachers to attend, but I think that you may be right; it will be easier to convince them to go if I do as well. Will talk to the boss (principal) tomorrow.
Would really like to come Scott, but I am not sure that our school has the funds. We are still waiting for department funds to purchase printer supplies. Our school is under construction while we attempt to teach and everything seems to be discombobulated!
Scott,
Once again I would like to say thank you for your support. I really appreciate your reviewing my presentation handout for I'm Awesome, But I Have My Limitations, recommending posting it on Freshman Transition.Ning and then facilitating the posting process. I really appreciate the support. Ron
Hey Scott!
I have been in Harnett County for two years... I taught in Blacksburg, Salem, New Bern, NC and in PA... now back in NC. My husband was in the Marines and we moved around a lot! He is out now, thankfully, and it feels good to be settled!
Hi Scott!
Really enjoyed meeting with you in Valdosta this week, in spite of the bomb threat! Took away a lot of great ideas, especially for classroom management. Showed the kids the SLANT idea and they loved it. Now, all I plan to say if I student is slumping is "SLANT!" and they will know what I mean. Good luck with the remainder of your school year and have a great day!
Scott, I notice you are a principal over a freshman transition project. Why do you not bolt a 550 pound gun vault to the floor in a central place of your school lobby and turn it into a School Archive Project? You could place 10 shelves inside the vault and have all your freshmen at the start of their freshment year write letters for the vault to focus onto their own futures. Then have them pull those letters in May and re-write them based on what they have learned and have them project forward to senior year. Then senior year have them pull those letters and write others documenting their history and projecting plans forward for 10 years. At their class 10 year reunion you could ask them to speak with your freshmen about their recommendations for success.
Scott - I am trying to purchase copies of "The Ninth Grade Opportunity" for my Freshman House staff. One thing that would help would be some reviews. Are there any available? I did not see any on the website for the book. Thanks!
Emily
Dec 21, 2008
Fran Schlenoff
Jan 4, 2009
Deborah Smoak
However, our state has hit hard economic times and we don't know if we will be able to continue in the format we currently use. Our team has already been dropped from four to three and we aren't sure what the new year will hold. Since we service those at risk, we only have about 45 students that remain with us all day and take only one elective away from us. We are proud of the fact that we teach the core subjects (things required for graduation) and our students receive their credits.
Again, thanks for the opportunity to share what we are doing and find out how others are managing in these difficult times.
Jan 6, 2009
Jo Ellen Kash
Jan 7, 2009
Deborah Smoak
Jan 15, 2009
Deborah Smoak
Jan 15, 2009
Michelle Daly
Jan 31, 2009
Michelle Daly
Feb 1, 2009
Michelle Daly
Feb 11, 2009
S. Randall Spain, Jr.
Thanks!
Randall
Apr 24, 2009
Carrie Staples
Apr 30, 2009
Kelvin Hart
May 23, 2009
The Teaching Page
-Kari Page
May 31, 2009
Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro
Jun 29, 2009
Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro
Jun 29, 2009
Kimberly A. Gruccio
FYI we have purchased your book and my teachers love it!
Jul 22, 2009
Chris Williams
You should check out this guy in Riverside, CA. His website is awesome!
www.mrroughton.com
Jul 31, 2009
Marsha'l Westfall-Haessig
Aug 3, 2009
Taylor Johnson
Aug 7, 2009
Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro
I drove to Toronto. I stopped for a day at Niagara Falls on the way. I had a beautiful day there and got to see several full arch rainbows!!! The gardens near the falls were beautiful. Toronto was primarily for business, the American Psychological Association convention. The conference was fine, but attendance seemed much lighter than in previous years. This was especially noticeable with the high school teachers. My session, Games To Explain Human Factors: Come, Participate, Learn, Have Fun! was very successful, although the attendance was a bit lighter than usual and the room lighting was a bit less than ideal for building a photo album. Thank you for asking...
Aug 9, 2009
Mark dePaulo
Mark
Aug 23, 2009
Mark dePaulo
Aug 30, 2009
Dr. Detrick McGriff
Sep 28, 2009
Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro
Oct 9, 2009
Virginia McGuigan Higgs
Nov 14, 2009
Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro
Once again I would like to say thank you for your support. I really appreciate your reviewing my presentation handout for I'm Awesome, But I Have My Limitations, recommending posting it on Freshman Transition.Ning and then facilitating the posting process. I really appreciate the support. Ron
Nov 30, 2009
Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro
Dec 1, 2009
Stacie Wood
I have been in Harnett County for two years... I taught in Blacksburg, Salem, New Bern, NC and in PA... now back in NC. My husband was in the Marines and we moved around a lot! He is out now, thankfully, and it feels good to be settled!
Jan 2, 2010
Nancy J. Miles
Really enjoyed meeting with you in Valdosta this week, in spite of the bomb threat! Took away a lot of great ideas, especially for classroom management. Showed the kids the SLANT idea and they loved it. Now, all I plan to say if I student is slumping is "SLANT!" and they will know what I mean. Good luck with the remainder of your school year and have a great day!
Jan 7, 2010
Bill Betzen
Jan 21, 2010
Gary Birdwell
Jan 28, 2010