The annual link crew program started on Thursday, August 22 to assist freshmen in their transition to the high school.

  Every year the first day of school is a day that is dedicated to helping the freshmen get to know the school and bond with their link leaders in order to establish trust. During this first day, activities are done in small homeroom groups in order for everyone to get to know each other and to feel comfortable in the school. A tour of the school also takes place, so the freshmen can find where their classes are.

  Freshman Gino Palma’s favorite part of the first day was the tour of the school.

  “I liked the tour the best because I was really nervous about getting lost and looking stupid in front of the older kids,” said Palma. “It let me see where all my classes were and what would be the easiest way to get there. I think it made the first day with the older kids so much easier. I only got lost once, and one of the teachers helped me find my class.”

 Link Crew has been implemented in the high school since the 2007-2008 school year. It was started by a group of teachers with the help of the administration staff.

  Special education teacher Kristin Johnson was among the teachers that started the program and thinks it is necessary for our school to have this program.

  “The staff felt that we needed a transition program to help students go from eighth grade to high school since it is so different,” said Johnson. “It not only helps the freshmen, but it also helps the upperclassmen to get involved in the school and helps to be a leader. The upperclassmen really determine how the school year is going to be, and by becoming leaders and helping the younger kids, it sets the pace for a good school year.”

  The program was designed by Boomerang’s Project in order to bring the school together, create a relationship between freshmen and upperclassmen, and help promote school safety and anti-bullying. It is meant to show freshmen that there are people in the school that care about them and their success. Boomerang’s Project is a company that formed both Link Crew and WEB, which we implement in the middle school, based on the motto that students help students succeed.

  Freshman Joe Fair explains the importance of Link Crew.

  “I think it’s important because it helped us to get used to the school and feel more comfortable,” said Fair. “It gives you someone to look up to and to go to if you have any problems or need help. I think that the leaders really care about us, and it makes me feel like the upperclassmen aren’t as bad as I thought they would be. I feel like if I have a problem they would be willing to help.”

 Studies show that if students have a good freshman year, their chance for success in high school increases dramatically. Link Crew allows freshmen to receive support and guidance from juniors and seniors who have already been in their position and understand what it’s like to transition to a larger school.

 Junior Link Crew leader Maddie Kroner remembers why she wanted to get involved in this program.

  “I remember what it was like to be that little lost freshman, and I want to be able to help them from making the same mistakes as I did,” said Kroner. “I like helping others and think they really look up to us because we are the first interaction they have in high school.”

   Leaders will continue to work with freshmen in homeroom on developmental days and will continue to support them through this critical transition.