Project JumpStart

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Project JumpStart

• Fatima High School
• Osage County R-III
• Westphalia, MO
• www.fatima.k12.mo.us

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What is Project JumpStart?

• Project JumpStart is an opportunity for entering
  freshmen of Fatima High School to gear up to high
  school expectations.
• It is strongly recommended for all students
  wanting to be successful in high school.
• Students will have classes with the teachers they
  will have throughout their high school career

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Who are we?

• Fatima High School
• Small School (483)
• Suburban (rural) Jefferson City
• Encompasses 13 towns
• We receive freshmen from six schools (five
  parochial)
• Variety of expectations and ability levels from
  each school
• District patrons are centralized around their
  parish rather than the public school.
• Many kids tend not to know students from other
  towns in the district.

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Why did we need to do this?

• 55 of all incoming freshmen have little
  experience in the public school.
• Since the community doesnt revolve around its
  school, students lack a sense of belonging.
• Many times expectations have not been set at an
  appropriate level.
• Students are not prepared for high school.
• Gives the have nots an opportunity to see life
  outside the OC.
• Familiarize students with layout and staff of the
  high school.
• 2/3 of all Freshmen attended summer school (and
  they didnt have to!)

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How did we get 2/3 of our kids to show up?

• Met with students in small groups in their home
  schools.
• Played upon uncertainty, nervousness, and fear of
  high school.
• Talked to them about all the stellar experiences
  that they would have.
• Cool or recognizably needed class titles.
• Trips, trips, trips.

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What classes did all students take?

• Introduction to High School English
• Introduction to High School Math
• Introduction to Physical Science
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens
• Computers
• Project Based Learning

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What did we do in English?

• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Reading Skills
• Writing Process
• Presentation Skills
• Persuasive Writing
• Process Writing

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What did we do in Math?

• All classes were grouped based on the students
  incoming math class (Algebra or Geometry)
• Students studied concepts in the first few
  chapters of their respective math class.
• Projects and activity learning were used to keep
  students excited about math.
• Teacher was able to evaluate Algebra skills for
  students that enrolled in Geometry freshmen year.
• MATH WAS THE SECOND MOST POPULAR COURSE AMOUNG
  STUDENTS!!!

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What did we do in Science?

• Students were broken in to teams and completed
  labs that introduced chemistry and physics
  topics.
• Students were taught the scientific method and
  applied it to every lab.
• Completely Lab Based
• Labs focused on
• Graphing Life Expectancy
• Toothpick Bridges
• Reverse Egg Drop
• Parachute Precision
• Boat Building
• THIS WAS STUDENTS FAVORITE CLASS!!!

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What did we do in 7 Habits of Highly Effective
Teens?

• Students read, discussed, and completed
  activities that related to the book 7 Habits of
  Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey.

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What did we do in Computers class?

• Proper keyboarding techniques
• Touch method of keyboarding
• Works Cited page
• PowerPoint tips
• Mad Libs
• Progressive Stories

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What did we in Project Based Learning?

• Students were assigned two long-term projects
  that included
• Developing effective research skills
• Evaluating research quality
• Managing time effectively
• Developing effective and efficient writing styles
• Developing Power Point skills
• Refining presentation skills

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Did someone say something about trips?

• The first day and every Friday we went on field
  trips.
• Total cost of trips were approximately 100.00
  per student (not including transportation).
• We kept class size high to defray costs.
• The BOE was convinced that this was good and
  important for kids to be successful.
• Three BOE Members had students complete the
  program and loved it.

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What was the philosophy of the Friday trips?

• Students had to be current on all assignments to
  go on Friday trips.
• Trips ran from 800 am Friday until 200am
  Saturday
• Trips are generally educational during the day
  and fun at night.
• Two Busses

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So where did we go?

• Day 1
• Teambuilding at the Alpine Tower at MU
• 60-ft high ropes climbing tower
• Students meet each other and through activities
  and personal challenges students talk about their
  thoughts and fears about high school and how they
  will overcome them.

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Friday Trips

• 1st Friday
• Kansas City
• Kauffman Stadium Tour
• Liberty Memorial
• Hallmark
• Steamship Arabia
• Dinner at CiCis Pizza
• Dinner for 60 to 70 people is an ordeal
• Royals Baseball Game

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Friday Trips Continued

• 2nd Friday
• Kansas City
• Truman Library
• White House Decision Center
• Dinner at the Chinese Buffet
• Culture, culture, culture
• Worlds of Fun

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Friday Trips Continued

• 3rd Friday
• St. Louis
• Boeing
• Lunch/Bus Parking in Forest Park
• The Zoo
• Science Center
• Dinner
• The Muny (King and I)

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Friday Trips Continued

• 4th Friday
• Education Day
• Met with students, and talked about how they are
  prepared for high school.
• They need to think about life after high school,
  and how their decisions today will impact them
  tomorrow.
• Toured Linn State Technical College
• Admission overview for LSTC
• Toured MU
• Lunch in the dining hall (free)
• Getting ready for college workshop (put on by MU)

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Results

• Students who completed the program said
• Its a lot of fun learning
• I learned to work as a team with my new
  classmates
• I am more comfortable with my way around school.
• I know what to expect in high school.
• Many people wouldnt go if they didnt get the
  Friday field trips.

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Results Continued

• I am more used to what high school will be like.
• This program makes high school less stressful.
• I know where my classes are, many of my teachers
  and my classmates
• Teachers said
• Freshmen were more prepared, better organized and
  more confident than in years past. Although the
  trips were long, it helped us get students to
  participate who otherwise would not have come to
  summer school.

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Questions???

• Contact
• Dan Ramsey
• RamseyD_at_fatima.k12.mo.us
• 573.455.2375 ext.111