I am interested in summer training for theachers and administrators for our new freshman academn- I am located in South Alabama- can you recomend training sessions near by or someone that might come here?

Thanks,

Juli 

Scott - Thanks for the well wishes.  They keep rolling around and I'm freezing time!  We're having some pretty cold weather, and my birthday coincides with the Rose Festival, a venerable, time-honored tradition in Portland.  I have a Nike grant to submit this morning and many meetings - so much for that national holiday in my honor (haha!). 

Have a good one.  I'm assuming your seniors are about out.  Ours are gone on Friday.

Scott - Could you kind of pencil that week in?  I know I'll have a talk with JB soon regarding that week.  Sorry to be whimpy on this, but you know how school gets at the end of the year - seniors, finals for all, exiting teachers (some of ours for good with all the RIFs), summer school starting up.  BTW, we got our continuation award on the SLC grant last week - best news was that they didn't reduce our funding, as they did for other schools/districts.  I'm working on a NIKE grant (as I said before) that will help supplement some of our freshman transition activities - it will sponsor a class highlighting Wooden's Pyramid of Success and athleticism.  We're kind of pumped about it - was fun to write.

Take care.

H

Hello! I am a school adjustment counselor who got tired of seeing kids drift away from motivation to succeed in school, starting freshman year. Four years ago, with the help of like-minded colleagues , we developed a regular ed program for rising 9th graders who are identified in 8th grade as being capable but not likely to attain grade level standards and/or to approximate their potential because of attentional issues, emotional issues, learning disabilities, family challenges, or some combination of the above. Our 15 students are cohorted and have a  morning schedule of Earth Science (which has other non-Network students in it), followed by Network-only English and World Cultures and Civilization classes. Fourth block of the day is Learning Strategies----a structured study/tutorial/executive functioning skills development course that is run by me and a tutor who has actually been in the three morning classes with the students. I see several students for counseling and check in with all students during Learning Strategies, which has a community-time feel to it, in addition to time with structured learning and time to begin homework and group assignments for classes. I also supervise two social work interns who are in Learning Strategies and spend some time with the students in their academic classes, in order to form a true learning community, get to know the students better, and be available should a student need to step out, take a break, or require additional support. Students attend Math according to ability level and may have a language or electives, just like any other freshman. Teachers meet weekly to discuss teaching strategies and catch each other up on what is and isn't working for the students. Students and parents are invited to these meetings as needed.

The curriculum is identical to that of the other freshmen; the only difference is that English and World Cultures are smaller classes.

Scott:

Thanks for the vote of confidence.  I am here because I am a band director who (I feel) has been given this class as a "filler" to be a full-time job.  The class isn't really well defined, and I found myself improvising a lot last year.  

That being said, I am sick and tired of this class being treated as a joke in our district.  I'm ready to come out swinging this year.

I found this site through videos on YouTube, and I find it useful.  I am looking forward to using your site as a resource.  

Regards,

Jeff Johnson

Scott,

I am looking forward to the weekend.  See you in Charleston.  Michelle

Scott - thanks for the welcome to your group.

Happy Birthday, Scott!!! Ron

Scott, yes!!  I ordered 20.  Your company should be recieving the PO very soon if they have haven't already gotten it!  Very excited to provide this excellent resource for my transition administrators. 

Thanks for the birthday wishes! :)

Thanks Scott for inviting me to join!  What a surprise it was to see that you are teaching at Salem High School!  I am a 1986 graduate and recognize the names of your fellow Solutions, inc professionals.  I am also a fellow Hokie. I worked for Roanoke County Schools from 1990-2004 before moving to TN.  I am currently the Class of 2013 counselor but will become the Class of 2017 counselor next year.  I look forward to utilizing the Freshman Transition Network!  It looks like a very worthwhile site!

Thaank you Mr Habeeb, I look forwad to more information and post. Enjoy the weekend!!

Great presentation in Bell County today!  You gave lots of practical ideas for impacting the lives of our students. 

Thank you for such an amazing and inspiring presentation today! Just what I needed to get me through the last nine weeks! So excited to start planning! 

Hi Scott.  I had the pleasure of hearing you in Accomack County at the beginning of the school year.  It was so inspirational.  I was trying to figure out how to download some of the videos onto my computer at home, because You Tube is blocked at school.  Is there a way I can do that?  

I must admit, I can't seem to figure out how to download the videos.  I downloaded the cnet software from the link you gave me, but I don't know how to download the video.  I am not sure what to click on.  I was trying to download the video about Ritchie Parker....which is such an inspirational story. If you could help me with this I sure would appreciate it! Thanks so much.  Cindy

Thanks so much! I finally succeeded! I have spent the last couple of hours downloading all the videos onto my computer. I am getting my arsenal of inspiration ready. I can't wait to show my first video about Richie Parker tomorrow. The Freshman Transition Network and the Go Beyond the Content sites are both wonderful. I really appreciate all the videos, books, music, quotes, available for us to use. Thanks again for your help! Cindy

Thank you for establishing and maintaining this ning site Scott. Great blog site "Beyond the Content" as well!

Wow!  That would be great!  How did you find out about us?

Thank you for welcoming me into your membership.  My name is Nancy LoPresti and I am an Asst. principal in a northeastern NJ high school with approximately 1100 students in grades 9 - 12.  I was introduced to the Freshmen Transition Network by my high school principal who actually started a 9th-grade Freshmen Academy four years ago here at our high school.  It was such an inspiration watching it progress and develop that I chose it to be the topic of my Capstone research as I complete my doctorate in Educational Administration for Teaching and Learning this Spring.  I have just become embedded in my research and had read a few articles and other literature by Mr. Habeeb which led me to this web site and supportive membership.  I am currently observing my school's program as a program evaluation research project as the final dissertation and Capstone project for my Ed.D in Educational  Administrative Leadership. I recently discovered that Mr. Habeeb was a visitor to our high school when our program was launched, but I was unable to be a part of that meeting for the purpose of recusal and nonbias when my study was ready to launch.  However, it would be wonderful to have a dialogue with him and other members who have experienced ninth grade transition programs now! I look forward to our dialogue and sharing in the upcoming months.

Hi, Scott-just wanted to let you know I just finished "9th Grade Opportunity". My principal ordered enough copies for my team, which consists of our teachers, Intervention and Special Ed teachers, counselors, social worker and administration. We start back on Aug. 21, at which time I will begin rolling it out to the others. It was an insightful, thought provoking read. I know I'll get buy in from some, push back from others. Going with the 'it's a pilot program' approach. I'll let you know when I get the 9th grade transition website up and running. Thanks.

Happy Birthday, Scott!!! Ron

Happy Birthday, Scott!!! Ron

Happy Birthday, Scott!!! Ron

Happy Birthday, Scott!!! Ron