1. Freshman Connection Counselor Articulation Meeting January 28, 2011 Presented by Kirstyn Fields, OCCP Strategy and Planning

2. 2 Freshman Connection Program Freshman Connection is a summer program that positions rising freshmen for a successful transition from elementary school to high school. Participants generally gain exposure to the following components: Social / Emotional Counseling curriculum featuring: High School expectations Reflection/self-discovery Interest/values inventories School acclimation activities Extra-curricular fairs Safety and security presentations Parent engagement Social / Emotional Counseling curriculum featuring: High School expectations Reflection/self-discovery Interest/values inventories School acclimation activities Extra-curricular fairs Safety and security presentations Parent engagement Academic Algebra Skills Literacy Skills Ideally, curricula delivered by teachers with endorsements in subject; Pre and post- assessments used to track progress High School graduation requirements introduced Academic Algebra Skills Literacy Skills Ideally, curricula delivered by teachers with endorsements in subject; Pre and post- assessments used to track progress High School graduation requirements introduced Youth Development Enrichment activities / field trips to supplement academic curriculum Team-building activities Service learning Youth leader participation as peer mentors and activity leads College & career planning and preparation Youth Development Enrichment activities / field trips to supplement academic curriculum Team-building activities Service learning Youth leader participation as peer mentors and activity leads College & career planning and preparation

3. 3 Goals & Outcomes Familiarize students with high school expectations Improve freshman class connectivity to school and school culture Increase college and career readiness Support rising Freshmen in their transition to a CPS high School Compared to students who did not attend, students who attended Freshman Connection demonstrate: Higher attendance rates Less course failures Greater likelihood of being on-track Avg. 9 th grade attend- ance (Q1) for all FC partici- pants = 93.8%

4. 4 Proposed Logistics 3 to 5 weeks of programming (15 – 30 days) Located at high schools; co-located with Bridge (8 th grade) Components included: –Academic Instruction (e.g., literacy, math) –Counseling Program –Youth Leaders (rising juniors/seniors) –Enrichment (optional) Shared responsibility –Areas/Schools will have control over programming and hiring –Central Office will manage the operational side of Freshman Connection

5. 5 Role of Counselors Elementary Work with high schools to create a program that best meets the needs of your students Assist students with the transition, by encouraging them to attend FC Reach out to parents and register students High School Work with elementary schools to enroll students Create/Implement counseling program at your school Staff FC program Build relationships with incoming Freshmen To help ease this important transition for freshman, High Schools and Elementary Schools need to work together to encourage and enroll students in Freshman Connection.

6. 6 Sample Counseling Programs Schools and Areas have autonomy over the Counseling Program. In the past, schools have used the following for their programs: The Freshman Counselor Guide on Choose Your Future GEAR UP curriculum / The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Additional best practices include: Curriculum based on the skills a freshman would need to attain high school success Use enrichment time to supplement counseling program Incorporate college and career planning and programs

7. 7 Questions For further questions, contact Lahari Goud, Freshman Connection Manager, at lggoud@cps.k12.il.us