The
Worthington Education Foundation
makes learning
and leadership possible!
Ellen
Clark, Lauren Glaros and Nancy Smith, three teachers at Worthington Kilbourne
High School, took the initiative to reach out to our WEF by writing a Grant for
our students. On Friday, March 22nd
we received the news that the Grant was honored for the approval of an enhanced
freshmen mentor program titled, “Link Crew”. “The Link Crew program is a yearlong orientation and transition
program that helps gear up our freshmen for high school success and creates
positive whole school culture and climate change.” This program will provide Kilbourne a sustainable structure
to experience success both academically and socially during the middle to high
school transition. Junior and
Senior level students will be extensively trained to be positive role models,
motivators and teachers who will guide the freshmen to discover what it takes
to be successful in high school.
This WEF Grant will financially support one teacher advisor to attend an
intense 3-day training session this Spring. The most effective Link Crew programs work in collaboration
with one another and I believe we have the perfect teacher leaders to run this
dynamic program for our students at Kilbourne. Thanks to Ellen Clark, Lauren Glaros and Nancy Smith for
your commitment to our students, families and school community. Our students are lucky to have you!
Link Crew
Statistics
For over 20 years Link Crew has been making an impact at
high schools across the nation; following are some examples of the many
positive changes schools have experienced because of Link Crew.
Craig High School,
Janesville, WI
After one year there was…
48% reduction in failing freshmen
37% reduction in freshmen referrals
Terre Haute North, Terre
Haute, IN
After seven years there was a …
53% reduction in freshman tardies
26% reduction in freshman suspensions
28% reduction in freshmen Ds and Fs
52% reduction in freshman referrals
Notre Dame Academy,
Toledo, OH
After four years there was a …
60% reduction in referrals
San Lorenzo Valley
High School, Felton, CA
Before Link Crew:
40% of freshman did not feel safe
With Link Crew, the following year:
97% of freshmen felt safe
Of the top 1000 high schools named in US News
& World Report’s 2012 ranking, 181 have Link Crew programs, and one of
those schools was ranked #8.
"All the activities and workshops we did in high
school with Link Crew are easily translated to real-life situations, not just
within the classroom but also in living situations and after-school activities
and in the workplace. I just
wanted to send a big THANK YOU to all of the administrators and staff involved
in Link Crew (and whoever it was who nominated me to be a Link Leader) for
everything you’ve done and everything you’re doing with the Link Crew. You are truly creating leaders who will
change the world.”
We are excited about this new opportunity for the Fall of
2013 and will continue to communicate more information as we grow and develop
the program.
We will continue to “Dream
Big” at Worthington Kilbourne High School.
-Angie Adrean, WKHS Principal