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 EDNEYVILLE, North Carolina USA — The whoosh of rockets in the background, the smell of hot dogs sizzling on the grill and the clink of horseshoes accented the culmination picnic for the Jumpstart program at East Henderson High School.
"We're having a picnic for the people who have made the biggest impact in our lives," said 13-year-old Janie Bradley. "It's like a summer school program, but it's more fun," said Caitlyn Stepp, 14. The incoming freshmen, about 28 of them, jump started their high school careers with an intensive week of study. Attendance was required from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for seven days, and they covered topics ranging from remedial math, language arts and study skills mixed in with the building of creative stars made of paper and rockets. This is the third summer for the Jumpstart program at East. "I think it's great for kids," said Virginia Haynes, East's assistant principal. "There's such a big difference between middle school and high school. These kids will be more comfortable with high school... they already know where their classes are." Students also take advantage of meeting future teachers in an informal setting. Col. Rod Clark, who teaches ROTC, has worked with the program for the past three years. He said he enjoyed meeting students and encouraging them to participate in ROTC. A few attendees of the Jumpstart program will be in his classes. "I love working with kids and getting to know them," Clark said. The curriculum The students read October Sky, which fit in well with the rockets they created, explained Frost. The different activities helped activate each of their senses. They created stars out of pieces of paper, intricate in their designs. "It's really student-driven," said Frost of the program. "Everything we do, we consider the students." The students participating in the program are chosen at Flat Rock Middle School. In past years, a variety of youth identified as academically gifted, regular education, English as a Second Language students and Exceptional Children students have participated. Faculty at Flat Rock Middle also look at attendance and academic performance to identify who they want to target. "It's a very diverse group of kids," said Frost, "who have a lot of different strengths." Students receive a flash drive to help them work on papers in the future. Each receives a school start kit including index cards, a Webster's spelling book, pens, pencils — items necessary for school. Grants from Western Regional Education Service Alliance and the Hendersonville Rotary Club have helped fund the program. A positive impact Janie invited Marcia Branson, her sixth-grade language arts teacher, to attend the picnic. At the beginning of the week, each student invited a former teacher to attend by sending out formal invitations. "She was just fun," said Janie. Branson presented Janie with a bouquet of roses after she arrived to the cookout and shared hugs with Janie and other former students. Branson pointed out a few of the kids she had in the fifth and sixth grades and called them "her kids." "I was touched," Branson said of Janie's invitation. "I think this is awesome to get them feeling good about themselves." Haynes said North Henderson and West Henderson high schools are also starting similar programs, with Hendersonville High and Balfour Education Center also creating an event to help students be more successful in high school. The Jumpstart program includes a parent/teacher meeting to help get parents involved in the education process. "Our purpose is really to develop a working relationship with the parents," said Frost. Copyright © 2008, Times-News.
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