The Duncan Banner

Local News

August 13, 2012

Duncan freshmen to ‘Gear Up’ for Freshmen Focus

Derrick Miller The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Although school doesn’t start until Aug. 22, Duncan freshmen will be hitting the hallways of the Duncan High School on Thursday.

The night is the Freshmen Focus program at 6 p.m.

The evening is similar to high school orientation, but it will be enhanced by the Gear Up program, which will help with college-readiness at the high school.

Freshmen Focus will be funded by the Gear Up program.

The event will begin in the high school auditorium to give students an overview of what to expect at the high school, and rules and guidelines students must abide by.

From there, they’ll be given their schedules and will have an opportunity to look for their classes and familiarize themselves with the high school layout.

“We have always had an orientation,” DHS Assistant Principal Merry Stone said. “It’s the toughest transition year. Gear Up makes a big deal and helps them prepare for it.”

Donna McMillan with the Gear Up program will be at Freshmen Focus to explain to students how they can benefit from the Gear Up program and to get them thinking about college after high school.

The Gear Up program ties in with the school districts introduction of the Career Pathways pilot program, which will helps students determine what classes they need throughout high school to best prepare for their chose career paths.

“We want them to think past graduation, into a career,” Stone said.

Allison Lovett, district curriculum director and Gear Up director, said Freshmen Focus will help students prepare for more than the next four years of high school. It will get them thinking about where they’re headed for the long-run.

“We want them to figure out what their life goal is,” Lovett said. “We’re really excited about the opportunities Gear Up has given us.”

This year, there are 288 freshmen enrolled at Duncan High School. DHS Assistant Principal Justin Smith said the program will have representatives from each of the school’s organizations and clubs to provide encouragement for the freshmen to get involved at DHS.

Students in attendance will also be eligible for door prizes. The DHS drama team will also have a video demonstrating the school’s dress code.

Stone, Smith and Lovett said this school year will be a large transition for all students. After all, this year will include a change from PASS Objectives to Core Curriculum, a move to traditional scheduling, an earlier start to the day and the introduction to Career Pathways.

But this year’s goal is to prepare students for life after high school, without forgetting the issues students may face while working their way toward the next step.

“We really want to help them focus on strategic planning for what classes they need to take,” Stone said. “We really want to put a focus on those students this year so they have guidance.”

They hope to have a large turnout of students and parents so everyone can begin making the transition into the high school atmosphere.

“We’re excited to welcome the Class of 2016 to Duncan High School,” Stone said.

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