Older students help ease transition to high school

PLUMSTED — Upperclassmen at New Egypt High School are trying to make things easier for students who have entered the ninth grade.

"New Egypt High School junior class and senior class representatives, 33 in all, have been trained as peer assistant leaders," said PAL adviser Jacqueline Duca.

Co-adviser Katina George said, "These programs are being implemented because adolescents are more likely to hear and accept information from their peers."

PAL uses upperclassmen to help freshmen make a successful adjustment into high school. Peer leaders co-facilitate outreach sessions for freshmen that are designed to help them make a successful transition into high school.

Peer leaders were trained during the summer in a variety of leadership and facilitation skills.

New Egypt PALs welcomed the class of 2013 in the first freshman orientation that took place on Sept. 1.

New Egypt PALs will also be providing prevention/educational outreaches to New Egypt Middle School.

With the help of School Resource Officer Plumsted Patrolman Earl Meroney, PALs will be participating in Red Ribbon Week and Prevention of Violence and Vandalism Week throughout the school district.

Participants in another program, Heroes and Cool Kids, work with current and former professional athletes in mentoring sixth-graders to make proper lifestyle choices, including sportsmanship, conflict resolution, and positive lifestyle choices highlighting drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention.

Peer leaders will be attending training sessions throughout the 2009- 10 school year in preparation for the middle school visits.

"Peer leaders make a positive contribution to our school by inspiring lasting change and creating a supportive learning environment," Duca said. "They act as mentors to

motivate students to stay in school and improve their academic performance."

George said the peer leaders are working cooperatively to improve the school community, establishing a sense of belonging and ownership into New Egypt High School.

Principal Tom Farrell said, "Most studies have shown that the peer influence is at its highest during the middle school and high school years. What better way to use this social conduit than to have our best and brightest students help others. Our new PAL program does exactly that, and I am excited to see it work for us this upcoming school year."

Plumsted Superintendent of Schools Mark DeMareo said the peer assistant leadership program at New Egypt High School plays a major role in reducing the alienation and disconnectedness many freshmen feel when they are transitioning into high school.

"This unique program provides the peer assistant leaders an ongoing opportunity to create a supportive environment that empowers their assigned freshmen to make healthy and positive decisions," DeMareo said.