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I plan to gather data to support my ALP. The type of data I plan to collect is the amount of time freshman have spent at in-school suspension programs and in administration offices the year of implementing Link Crew compared to previous years. Or within the next few years to see the process the program is making. This will help guide the program in the right direction.

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(The Boomerang Project, n.d.)

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Link Crew :: Achieving Successful Freshman Transition

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Link Crew is a high school transition program that increases freshman success. Members of the junior and senior class are trained to be Link Leaders who act as positive role models. motivators, mentors and teachers helping guide the freshmen to discover what it takes to be successful during the transition to high school. As freshmen success increases, the benefits to the school culture and climate become apparent; Link Crew schools report having greater connection, increased extracurricular participation, fewer discipline issues and greater pride and spirit. (less info)

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Link Crew Helps Hall Freshmen Prepare for New School Year - We-Ha | West Hartford News

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Link Crew, the national orientation and mentoring program, is in its 11th year at West Hartford’s Hall High School. By Ronni Newton Freshmen and other first-year students at West Hartford’s Hall High School are eased into the transition to a new school thanks to the a dedicated group of upperclassme…

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Cañon City students greeted with enthusiasm on first day of school

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The Tiger Dome at Cañon City High School was booming with energy Tuesday morning. The freshman class of 2025 was welcomed by an enthusiastic group of Link Crew leaders to start their first day. Lin…

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The Advocacy Issue
The Program
The program Goal
ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors
Involving Stakeholders

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Increase the amount of social achievement in classes by proactively creating peer relationships. By May 25th, 2022, the 9th grade class will reduce the amount of time in in-school suspension and the office by creating peer relationships from Link Crew activities to lower at risk behavior and ease the transition into high school.

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ASCA student standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for student ... (n.d.). Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/7428a787-a452-4abb-afec-d78ec77870cd/Mindsets-Behaviors.pdf

The Boomerang Project: Providing Premier High School & Middle School Orientation Programs. The Boomerang Project | Providing Premier High School & Middle School Orientation Programs. (n.d.). Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://www.boomerangproject.com/

Heyward, G. (2021, September 17). TikTok's latest craze: Stealing stuff from school. The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2021, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/17/us/devious-licks-tiktok.html

Summers, B., & Lisiecki , H. (2021, December 28). Link Crew at Canon City High School . personal.

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The advocacy issue I will be addressing and creating a program for is social and emotional gaps seen in this year’s freshman class, caused by the pandemic. My program will address the areas of need my research indicated as required from the freshman class. My program solely addresses the 9th grade class.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, students have had a different school experience for the past 3 years. This includes virtual school or time spent learning at home - isolated from their peers and the traditional school setting. A recent article posted by The New York Times, suggests that the recent TikTok Challenges that affected schools throughout the nation is, in part, due to the effects of the pandemic. The article suggests that students were reacting to, “the disruptions and powerlessness in their lives (Heyward, 2021).”  Particularly the freshman class has felt the effects of the alternative schooling coupled with entering high school. I interviewed the principal at the high school that I worked at, Bill Summers. He reported that, “Freshman behavior incidents for the class of 2025 during the first quarter of 2021 were up by 50% due to the COVID gap year (Summers & Lisiecki, 2021).” This information shows great need for a program that targets peer relationships that allow the freshman class a smoother transition into high school.

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A Program like Link Crew takes involvement from all members within the school.

Administration - In order for a program like Link Crew to succeed in high schools, support from administration is required. Luckily for CCHS, the administration supports Link Crew and all of the events and support they provide. Administration and other school officials support the financial aspect of paying for teacher training.

Teachers - Teacher involvement is key. Link Crew has training for teachers who wish to be a part of the program. Teachers who are willing oftentime donate much of their time to complete the training and help put on after school events and prepare for the new school year. In addition to teachers who are dedicated to the program full time, all teachers need to be on board for the program to succeed. Freshmen are pulled out of classrooms for walks and talks with their junior and senior Link Leaders throughout the school year. This is an example of how all teachers can be accommodating of the program.

School Counselor - Mr. Summers reported that Link Leaders this school year were responsible for reporting to school administration and counselors about students who were at risk for suicide (Summers & Lisiecki, 2021). School counselors play a role in being available for Link Leaders to support the information they receive and to make sure that both Link Leaders and their Freshmen receive the proper services.

Students - Without the Juniors and seniors, this program would not happen. Juniors and seniors go through an application process to become Link Leaders and then volunteer lots of their time to make the program happen (The Boomerang Project, n.d.). Students are the true backbone of this program.

Parents - Parents help support programs like these by driving their students to and from events, giving their time volunteering at Link Crew events, and supporting other staff and student efforts.

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The program that I have chosen to respond to this student-centered challenge is Link Crew. Link Crew is a program that connects incoming freshmen with junior and senior “Link Leaders” to help ease their transition into high school (The Boomerang Project, n.d.). Link Crew is a student lead program that allows opportunities for juniors and seniors to help freshmen feel comfortable in their new role as high schoolers. Bill Summers, principal of Canon City High School, says that Link Crew has been an ongoing program at CCHS for 4 years. Some ways that Link Crew works at CCHS is by leading the freshman orientation, doing Link Leader and Linkee walk and talks throughout the year, and by Link Crew hosting school events throughout the school year (Summers & Lisiecki, 2021). These peer relations provide ongoing support for freshmen as they transition into high school. Mr. Summers went on to report that freshmen respond better to the leadership of their peers (juniors and seniors) and that Link Leaders help in areas of academic and behavioral adaptations, in addition to social adjustments (Summers & Lisiecki, 2021). Link Crew has had a positive effect at Canon City High School, and I believe that it would have a positive effect at all high schools and for all freshmen.

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Mindset Standards:

M1. Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional and physical well-being

M2. Sense of acceptance, respect, support and inclusion for self and others in the school environment

M 3.. Positive attitude toward work and learning

M 4.. Self-confidence in ability to succeed

M 5..Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high-quality results and outcomes

M 6. Understanding that postsecondary education and life-long learning are necessary for long-term success

Behavior Standards - including Learning Strategies, Self Management Skills, Social Skills :

B-SMS 1. Responsibility for self and actions

B-LS 2. Creative approach to learning, tasks and problem solving

B-SMS 2. Self-discipline and self-control

B-SS 2. Positive, respectful and supportive relationships with students who are

similar to and different from them

B-SS 3. Positive relationships with adults to support success

B-SS 4. Empathy

B-LS 4. Self-motivation and self- direction for learning

B-LS 7. Long- and short-term academic, career and social/emotional goals

B-SMS 7. Effective coping skills

B-SS 7. Leadership and teamwork skills to work effectively in diverse groups

B-SMS 8. Balance of school, home and community activities

B-SS 8. Advocacy skills for self and others and ability to assert self, when necessary

B-SMS 9. Personal safety skills

B-SS 9. Social maturity and behaviors appropriate to the situation and

environment

B-LS 10. Participation in enrichment and extracurricular activities

B-SMS 10. Ability to manage transitions and adapt to change