'Next Step' helps with transition

  • Posted August 16, 2023
School resource officer and two Next Step take a ride on a swing at Six Flags

A pilot program to help middle school students transition into 91¸£Àûµ¼º½ High School 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 91¸£Àûµ¼º½ Police Officers Anthony Balarin and Lawan Cancer.

Over six weeks, 91¸£Àûµ¼º½ High student mentors met with incoming ninth-graders for leadership and team-building exercises. They also toured 91¸£Àûµ¼º½ 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 91¸£Àûµ¼º½ High for incoming freshmen, establish peer mentoring and foster positive relations between students and the 91¸£Àûµ¼º½ Police Department.

Goals achieved!

According to Reddix, the officers hope to expand the program next year.