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Class helps students stay in school 'Connections' gives freshmen a chance to learn to organize time, set goals and discuss issues By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune With a four-year dropout rate of about 20 percent, North Medford High wants to make a better connection with its newest students and keep them in school. That's the idea behind a program that started this year to keep freshmen from going sour on education. "We're helping kids feel connected," said assistant principal Jean White. Many ninth-graders quickly fall behind, first failing their classes, then finally deciding to drop out, she said. Last school year, North Medford had a single-year dropout rate of 7.05 percent, down from 8.33 the year before. That's still above the state average of 5.25 percent. To prevent freshmen from foundering, North Medford has developed the Connections program that helps students organize their time, set goals and discuss issues that affect adolescents. White says she has already noticed an improvement in how many students stay in school. "We have a retention rate that is 18-20 percent better than anytime in the past five years," she said. Organizing student time is a big part of the program, which emphasizes the importance of completing work and turning it in when due. "We basically have a day planner for all freshmen," said White. Connections tries to show students the relationship between education and future employability. Among the topics discussed are self-esteem, working with others, accepting authority and supervision and using time wisely. Students also break into groups to discuss human sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases and other adolescent issues. Because the school has four teachers dedicated to the Connections classes, it gives the students a chance to vent their frustrations and, in some cases, discuss personal problems that might be affecting their studies. "We get into their relationships with their families," said health teacher Michael Schaan. "Our main focus is how do we keep people in school," he said. "Everything we do ties back to their education." During the first week of school, teachers familiarize students with the campus, then each week they post grades. Health teacher Brad Eaton notes that much of the emphasis is on helping students make the transition from middle school to high school. Ninth-graders walk onto campus and are asked to do more homework and adhere to strict attendance policies, while at the same time they are given more freedom, such as the freedom to leave campus at lunchtime, he said. Eaton said students have three classes that they share in common to give them more stability: Connections, World Studies and English. Connections is a work in progress and its teachers say they will probably make some changes next year. So far, the students think the program is working. Natasha Ellis, 15, said, "This class is helping me to get organized." Last year, Ellis had problems with some of her grades, but this year, "I passed all my classes." She said she finds the atmosphere at the high school far different than in the lower grades. "It's a whole different attitude of how people treat each other," she said. "The treat you more mature." Caleb Stowe, 15, also passed all his classes last semester. "It (Connections) has showed me how to get organized," he said. "It kind of does help out with grades." Michelle Westermann, 14, of Medford said, "I was a pretty good student, but I have become a better student." While the class has worked for her and others, Michelle said, "I find the kids who don't like it don't do well in school." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.