'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 ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú 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 ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Police Officers Anthony Balarin and Lawan Cancer.

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

Goals achieved!

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