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.

Thanks- I'll do just about anything to help get through to my students- even stand on my head!!!

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.

Thank you- it is a work in progress! I am glad you had our school colors :-)

We are working on that right now. Also, have you found a way for the full site to be visible on a school network?

I am working on it little by little! :)

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.

Thanks!

Randall

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!

Are you coming to Memphis, TN?

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!

-Kari Page

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 for the feature, Scott. I appreciate it. Ron

Hey Thanks Scott...that ws very kind of you to send a wish.
FYI we have purchased your book and my teachers love it!

Nope. That would be Stonehenge.
You should check out this guy in Riverside, CA. His website is awesome!
www.mrroughton.com

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.

Thanks for the b-day wishes! I'm the big 3-0! ;)

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.

Mark

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!

Yes , Baltimore during a weekend session. Found it very informative. Have since finished dissertation. Continue the great work

Thank you, Scott!!! Ron

The workshop in Charlotte was definitely worth the trip. I have already begun using a few of your ideas in my classes. Thanks again!

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

Hi Scott, yes I did see the entry on the front page. Thank you very much.... 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!