As high schools across our nation prepare for the class of 2013-2014 to enter their doors, there must be several components in place in order to ensure a smooth and efficient beginning. Listed below are a few of the recommendations that will enhance the school climate and make the students feel like they are a part of the school's traditions. They include:
1. The culture should be inviting to all grade levels. Not only should the students and staff be a part of the culture, the community must be an active stakeholder. First impressions DO make a a difference in how the community will view the school and in return how it will help make the school a success through resources and volunteers.
2. Freshman should be made welcome well before the beginning of the school year. Invite them to participate in sports, activities and other events so that they will immediately feel as though they are a part of their future school family.
3. Create postcards that are written by the current students and then mailed to the future class of 2013-2014. It explains details about the open house which will take place in September.
4. The school's goals need to reflect a commitment to excellence. Research shows that the most vital time to prevent dropouts is during their freshman year.
5. Have a monitoring system in place so that interventions can be done on a regular basis. Waiting too late will often result in missed opportunities. Keep a close eye on those students that have failed English, and / or Math and also have an attendance issue. These students will most likely be the first to become a dropout.
6. Have an administrator take time to meet with every freshman during the year. The small amount of time that it takes to meet with each student can pay off should there be a difficult circumstance that has to be addressed.
7. Reward good behavior prior to the beginning of the year. Students that are praised for great effort often tend to continue this behavior with reminders that hard work pays off.
8. Make the effort to know the parents before students enter the halls. All too often parents think that since their children are in high school, they don't have to spend as much time as before but on the contrary, this is the most critical time to hear their dreams and create a plan that will map out their high school experience and beyond.
9. Create an Individualized Academic Plan (IAP) that will be monitored and adjusted throughout their high school years. Remember what gets measured gets done and this simple plan is the roadmap to success. Without one, the chances of students falling through the cracks will significantly increase.
10. Find a positive role model. As we all know, one bad decision could lead to a lifetime of regret but having a mentor to discuss issues could thwart off potential problems before they arise.
These simple steps will pay off huge with some planning and adjustments.
Dr. Aaron L. Smith
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