Wired for Success: The Magic of Peer Group Connections

Overview:

Peer group connection is a program offered to upperclassmen as a leadership program targeted at guiding freshmen through their first year in high school and helping them transition from different environments. So far, my personal experience has been beneficial. I feel as though PGC has helped me grow in making new friendships and connections with both my classmates and the 9th graders. It really helped me develop my skills and a leader and improve my ability to communicate. The program is very fun and I would personally recommend students to join as it can give them a well rounded idea of skills they need for the future. We have a lot of fun playing activities and sharing stories with one another. We took a 3 day retreat to upstate New York that forged a deeper bond between us as a class. We sang and danced while also being guided as to how to help guide the freshman. The teachers are so nice, funny and incredible at making this program the best it could be. I look forward to participating and hoping more students join to experience a feeling of community and in general just have a fun time!

Meet the teachers:

The PGC program stands for Peer Group Connection. A program which focuses on helping guide freshmen in our school building. The program consists of Ms. Forest, Mr. Barnett, Ms.Sherri and the PGC coordinator Ms. Kraft. Diving deeper into the program an interview with Ms.Kraft, she was asked to describe the role of PGC and she stated “Allows upperclassmen to go into 9th grade classes to help them with the transition into high school as well as to expose them not meeting different people they can turn to.” Ms.Forest added on by explaining how PGC has a lot of fun activities to get to know our freshmans better but there are also activities based on school community and how to be better team players and communication. She described PGC “essentially teaching students how to be a better human being.”

When asked how Ms.Kraft felt as coordinator she described it being extremely helpful to both 9th graders and upperclassmen. “It exposes the upperclassman to the experiences of freshman that could lead to self reflection to help them become leaders.”

PGC Leaders:

There are currently two period classes of PGC leaders that consist of 11th and 12th graders. When interviewed on how beneficial they found the class for themselves many agreed it was helpful and encouraged them to grow in the abilities to lead groups and work as a team. One student stated “It allows me to give guidance to those younger than me in ways I wished I had received.” Another added on when asked if they feel the program has had a positive impact on freshmen they shared “it allows freshmen to come together as a community allowing them to have a voice, break out of their shells and have a good freshman year.” Some students shared how they feel it would have been really helpful because they struggled towards being social with others. We are very appreciative of being able to be a part of this community we share and love our class. Everyone has talked about how much fun our class is and how amazing the teachers are because with them it makes it much more enjoyable! Overall peer group connection has been a very supportive and valuable experience for both students and teachers!