(aka Link Crew)

At RHS I have been one of the staff supervisors for our Link Crew for most of my time at this school.

Link Crew is a high school transition program that welcomes grade 9 students and makes them feel comfortable throughout the first year of their high school experience. Built on the belief that students can help students succeed, we train grade 11 and 12 mentors to be Link Crew Leaders. As positive role models, Link Crew Leaders are mentors and student leaders who guide the grade 9 students to discover what it takes to be successful during the transition to high school and help facilitate their success.

Link Crew is a year long transition program with four components that contribute to its success:

• High School Orientation - Link Leaders and grade 9 students start building the mentor relationship and grade 9s receive information about how to be successful in high school

• Academic Follow Ups - Link Leaders support grade 9 students’ academic success and character development through structured classroom visits

• Social Follow Ups - Link Leaders and grade 9 students connect outside the classroom at social events to increase student engagement, and promote positive school climate

• Leader Initiated Contacts - Link Leaders connect with their grade 9 students on a more individual basis

Link Crew's goal is to provide a structure in which students make real connections with each other thus increasing school safety and reducing incidence of bullying with anti-bullying education. Through this program, grade 9 students learn that people at school care about them and their success and leaders experience increased self esteem as well as overall character development.