Iowa High School Calcasieu Parish Iowa, Louisiana Slide 2 Parent
Organization: The Boomerang Project Motto: You Get Back What You
Give Slide 3 Making Freshman Success a Reality Slide 4 Just ask
yourself What would happen at your school if students were given
permission to care about each other and the structure in which to
do it? Slide 5 Link Crew is not just a one time event. It is a year
long transition program. Components: Orientation 1 st Day of School
Academic Follow-ups Social Follow-ups Extensive Training for Link
Crew Leaders Slide 6 Orientation Goals: To welcome the freshmen to
their new campus and encourage them to think about the path they
will take during the next 4 years. Establishes the relationship
between the Link Leaders and the freshmen. Slide 7 Slide 8 Why? So
that freshmen know: Who the Link Crew Leaders are Their purpose
What to expect in the way of support throughout the year Slide 9
Slide 10 I didnt think they would do anything more than show us
around school, but my perspective was clearly wrong. Blaire, Class
of 2013 Slide 11 Slide 12 I was fortunate to be in the 1 st group
of students to be lead by Link Crew. They served as a type of
life-line for us when we became swamped in the new world of high
school. Without a doubt, it made a huge difference. Allen, Class of
2013 Slide 13 Slide 14 Slide 15 Slide 16 Slide 17 I thought it was
so amazing that someone would want to help me. Me, a scared
freshman going somewhere new. I want to give this years freshmen a
sense of security. Danielle, Class of 2013 Slide 18 Leaders wear
their distinctive lime green shirts for easy identification.
Freshmen see familiar faces of upperclassmen they know. Slide 19
Social Provide a social setting for Link Leaders and their freshmen
to reconnect and build relationships outside the classroom. May
include: Cookies n Cocoaweek before Christmas Break Attend school
athletic event as a group Eat lunch together Link Crew tailgate
Slide 20 Academic: Link Leaders visit freshman classes 10x a year
teaching structured lessons on topics such as: Using Your Available
Resources Managing Your Time Achieving Excellence The power of the
Academic Follow-ups is that younger students learn from older
students who have had a variety of experiences, successes and
challenges. Slide 21 Slide 22 These lessons are designed to give
freshmen the skills needed to be successful during their high
school years and beyond. To me Link Crew is all about showing how
much you care about the students at your school and making these
freshmen better individuals. Robin, Class of 2013 Slide 23 Slide 24
Every month, we looked forward to seeing (Link Crew) members in our
classes to teach lessons. We looked up to them, our upper classmen.
We listened to them. We respected them. And whether or not we
realized it among the fun-and-games, we learned important,
practical lessons during our Link Crew sessions. Cassidy, Class of
2013 Slide 25 Lessons are designed to give freshmen the skills
needed to be successful during their high school years and beyond.
Slide 26 Leader Initiated Beyond the structured activities provided
for Link Leaders and their freshmen to connect. Link Leaders are
encouraged to make individual contact with their freshmen. Slide 27
All the lessons that we taught werent just for the freshmen it was
for us, too. Jordan, Class of 2012 Slide 28 Connection to the
community Communication with the feeder schools Working with the
school counselors Slide 29 The heartbeat of the program A
cross-section of the student body representing all types of
students at the school Gives as many freshmen as possible a Link
Leader with whom to identify Extensive training that develops
skills as well as provides them with a vision of what it is to be a
high school leader Slide 30 Slide 31 Slide 32 One of the things I
like most about Link Crew is the diversity of leaders. Link Crew
has leaders from every branch of high school. Cassidy, Class of
2013 Slide 33 Adult leaders attend a 3 day workshop through
Boomerang Project Prepares Coordinator for: Selection of Leaders
Training of Leaders Orientation 1 st day activities 2 nd of
Training is a 2 day workshop (part of cost of initial training)
Prepares Coordinator for: Follow-up lessons Year long activities
Slide 34 Adult training is thorough and materials are
providedexamples of activities, cds of songs, dvds of actual
training sessions and Orientation sessions. Boomerang Project is
accessible for additional materials and advice. Ongoing training
available Cooperation among Link Crew Schools Joint activitiesLink
Crew tail gates for rival games, joint planning sessions/idea swaps
Website for exchange of ideas Leadership curriculum also available
for a Link Crew class Slide 35 Slide 36 The friendships that were
formed with Link Crew Leaders and the new high schoolers were
great. To give back what Ive gained is what I want to do by joining
Link Crew. Devan, Class of 2013 Slide 37 I really want to be part
of something that makes a differencethe main reason I want to be
part of Link Crew is because I love what you guys do and I would
really love to be a part of that. Corey, Class of 2013 Slide 38
Link Crew has taught me a lot about life that I use everyday, and I
only want the chance to help the freshmen like Link Crew has helped
me. Kennedy, Class of 2013 Slide 39 For more information, please
contact Leslie Gurley Iowa High School 401 W. Miller Avenue Iowa,
LA 70647 337-217-4380 [email protected]
