Transcript Transition Program - QUEST-I'm-ON

Transition Program
for
Ontario Public Schools
Quest-I’m-on
TRANSITION PROGRAM
The Transition Program:
The Quest-I’m-on Transition Program unites the high school students involved in leadership courses or
programs with the incoming Grade 9 students. It is a four-step program that integrates empathy and
compassion while developing and practising leadership skills. It also aims to reduce isolation and
increase success rate for Grade 8 students transitioning into high school. A nominal time commitment
from each student will remove some of the barriers that cause segregation, fear and anxiety among
students. The formation of stronger connections from this unifying, energetic and creative
program cultivates positive school culture and spirit. Through this relationship building process between
elementary and secondary students, increased enrolment numbers is also another by-product of the
program.
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Increases student participation thus creating more student leaders
Expands effective communication
Promotes team building and team spirit
Fosters healthy relationships
Helps reduce the divisions and competition between grade levels
Elevates student self-esteem and success levels
Builds safer surroundings for students
Instils tolerance, empathy and compassion
Encourages a student-driven, positive school culture shift
Increases student enrolment from elementary to secondary school
TRANSITION PROGRAM – THE STEPS
STEP 1 – QUALIFY – Preparing students to be leaders
High school students in the leadership course/program take a 3-hour Quest-I’m-on workshop to prepare
them as student leaders.
In this workshop, the students will:
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Gain understanding that a strong leader doesn't look for followers but creates other leaders
Learn to enhance and focus on personal empathy and compassion levels
Learn how to create a safe environment for others to speak and be themselves
Learn how to improve communication skills by the basics of active listening and creative questioning
Learn how to create stronger bonds and relationships in a short time
Learn how to facilitate a small group for future workshops
STEP 2 – EMBRACE – Getting to know other students
Student leaders facilitate a 2.5-hour Quest-I’m-on workshop with the Grade 8 students.
Through a series of interactive exercises, all students will:
• Get opportunities to create the foundation for relationships which will be built upon and carried over in
the next 2 steps of the Transition Program and beyond
• Learn to enhance and focus on personal empathy and compassion levels
• Learn to lead exercises, play together and have fun
• Learn about responsibilities they have towards one another
• Gain better understanding of the causes and consequences of separation and alienation
• Get to share ideas on how to make school and people feel safer
• Get to exchange contact information (E-mail, Facebook, MSN…)
Student leaders will:
• Lead and facilitate conversations and activities with assigned groups
• Get to share personal experiences of high school
• Get opportunity to serve as mentor and positive role model
Grade 8 students will:
• Get to share fears as well as accomplishments
• Gain better understanding of the challenges faced by high school students
• Establish contacts with student leaders of the high school
STEP 3 – SHARE – Sharing support, morals and values
Student leaders and Grade 8 students meet for a follow-up 2.5-hour Quest-I’m-on workshop to further
share experiences and enhance bonding on established relationships.
From this interactive workshop, all students will:
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Develop stronger bonds as peers
Develop an effective method to maintain contact with others
Get a chance to demonstrate and exercise individual morals and values
Receive tips on reducing or eliminating teasing, bullying and prejudices
Student leaders will:
• Provide support and guidance to Grade 8 as they take more of a leadership role in their groups
• Facilitate team-building exercises
• Provide answers to ease fears and anxieties for the Grade 8 students
Grade 8 students will:
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Learn how to lead a group of peers and student leaders
Gain confidence and practise as leaders with the student leaders’ support
Build allies at the new school
Easier transition into high school
STEP 4 – TRANSITION – Transitioning Grade 8 students to new school
At the orientation session at the beginning of the next school year, the student leaders meet with the
Grade 8 (new Grade 9) students for a one-hour Quest-I’m-on workshop.
Student leaders will:
• Be assigned to mentor a group of two to three new Grade 9 students using the N.I.C.E. approach that
incorporates personal empathy and compassion levels learned in the previous steps:
• New comer – demonstrate an act of welcoming the members
• In contact – establish regular contacts with each group member within the first 6 weeks of the
semester
• Circle of friends – introduce each member to at least three of their friends within the first month
• Extra activity – bring each member of the group to at least one game, practice, or any other
extra curricular activity
• Use a questionnaire as a guide for conversations with the group
• Document any concerns or issues from members of the group
• Prepare and present a summary to the leadership teacher on their experiences with the members of
the group and the Transition Program
• Find ways to encourage the new students to take the leadership course/program
New Grade 9 students will:
• Gain comfort in the new school with a sense of belonging
• Gain confidence in expressing themselves
• Integrate quicker and better in the new school
Responsibilities & Time Commitments
Transition
Program
Student
Leaders
Grade 8
Students
Step 1
QUALIFY
3-hour workshop during
school year
Attend 3-hour workshop
Step 2
EMBRACE
2.5-hour workshop
Attend 2.5-hour
workshop
Attend 2.5-hour
workshop
Step 3
SHARE
2.5-hour workshop
(approx. 2 months later)
Attend 2.5-hour
workshop
Attend 2.5-hour
workshop
Step 4
TRANSITION
1-hour orientation
workshop at the
beginning of next school
year
1. Attend 1-hour
orientation
2. Meet with each
member of the group
– (15 minutes x 6
weeks x (3) students)
1. Attend 1-hour
orientation
2. Meet with student
leader (15 minutes x
6 weeks)
Total Hours
9 hours
13.5 hours
7.5 hours
Transition Program - Requirements
Number of students:
• Recommending 1:3 ratio (1 student leader to 3 Grade 8 students) – maximum 60 Grade 8 students.
Workshop Location:
• Preferrably to be held at the high school where the Grade 8 students will be going to.
Room Size:
• A room that can accommodate 80 students with chairs only (no tables/desks).
Equipment:
• One chair per student
• One blank sheet of paper and pen per student
• A microphone (depending on room size)
Transition Program – Objectives:
1.
Transition Program hours can be used towards the 40 hours of community service requirement set
by the Ministry of Education
2.
Incorporate and imbed the Transition Program into the regular school curriculum
3.
To help increase the student enrolment from elementary to high school