How Link Crew Supports Freshman

1. A written invitation to orientation

Invitations are mailed to all eighth graders’ homes in the Spring.  .

1. Link teams

All freshman are divided into Link Crews of 6-8 students.  Each Crew is assigned a Link Leader who will serve them as mentor and friend for the year. Each Link Leader submits an application that is screened and approved by Link Crew Coordinators.

3.  Link phone call
        Link Leaders telephone each of their freshmen to extend a personal invitation a few days 
before orientation.

1. Link orientation

Orientation for freshman Crews is run in separate classrooms by the Link Leaders.  The focus of activities is:  a) getting to know other students, and b) learning strategies for being successful at Cortland Jr.-Sr. High School.

   5.  Link Leader support
Link Leaders phone and check-in with their freshman periodically throughout the year, 
particularly during the first few weeks of school.

   6.  Link Alerts
A Link Alert is a special form filled out by a teacher who sees a freshman needing help or 
encouragement.  The form is routed to the Link Leader who takes appropriate action, then  
re-routed back to the original teacher.

   7.  Academic Follow Ups
An Academic Follow UP is a lesson taught in all freshman classes or in an advisory meeting
time by Link Leaders.  Lesson topics include Making Good Choices, Using Resources at  
School, and Dealing with Peer Pressure.  The Link Crew Leader may at times be available
to tutor or provide additional academic support.

   8.  Social Follow Ups
        The Link Crew sponsors social events on campus to help freshmen and Link Leaders stay     
connected.  Some examples are:  movie nights, lunches, homecoming, school dances, game   
nights, and attending school events together.

Made by: Alexa Barber, Dan Miller, Blake Dudek