A pilot program to help middle school students transition into ³Ô¹ÏÂÛ̳ with the help of high school mentors had an outstanding debut this summer!
The program is called Next Step and was the brainchild of School Resources Officers Nicole Reddix and Nick Schuler, who also oversaw the six-week program with support from ³Ô¹ÏÂÛ̳ Police Officers Anthony Balarin and Lawan Cancer.
Over six weeks, ³Ô¹ÏÂÛ̳ High student mentors met with incoming ninth-graders for leadership and team-building exercises. They also toured ³Ô¹ÏÂÛ̳ High and went on excursions starting with Lawson Lake on June 30 and finishing at Six Flags on Aug. 15.
The goals of the program were to create a welcoming environment to ³Ô¹ÏÂÛ̳ High for incoming freshmen, establish peer mentoring and foster positive relations between students and the ³Ô¹ÏÂÛ̳ Police Department.
Goals achieved!
According to Reddix, the officers hope to expand the program next year.
