Two teachers and two administrators from the Upper Perkiomen High School provided school board members last week with a positive review of their ninth-grade orientation project.

            Following the May 25 meeting, Principal Robert Carpenter declared the initial year of the Freshman Academy a success.

            The program, started in September, included a team of teachers and staff who consistently collaborated to improve instruction and communication centered on the academic, behavioral, social and emotional needs of ninth graders.

            The goal of the academy is to guide and develop high school students to maximize individual student potential and increase the communication between teachers to support the students.

            Member Joan Smith thanked the principal for his efforts. She called it a much needed program.

            According to Carpenter, the intent is to help prepare ninth graders for high school, as well as increase student involvement and achievement. He said that early in previous school years, some wandered the hallways aimlessly not sure where they were going.  "High school can be unnerving for some," the principal said after the meeting.

            The ninth graders kicked off the school year with an orientation, prior to the beginning of school, by completing a scavenger hunt created by the teachers, according to Carpenter.

            The intent of the orientation is to help students become familiar with the building, find their lockers, and meet their teachers and their classmates, according to a presentation by the principal.

            According to Superintendent Alexis McGloin, staff members met consistently with a small group of students to help the students make the transition from middle school.  "There are so many barriers," she said during the meeting.

            Staff members get to know their advisees on academic and personal levels, according to Meredith Wickard, a math teacher.

            Ruth Guenther told the board that she has seen improved study skills among the participants. Guenther, also a math teacher, said it's the kind of thing that allows students to experience success and begin to set goals.  "This sort of thing can really change the tide for these students," Guenther said.

            Art Vigilante, an assistant principal, explained that the program included a series of the awards at the end of the first and second semesters. He said the Academy Awards included recognition for perfect attendance, behavior, academic performance and student achievement.

            According to Carpenter, the freshman orientation program will continue during the 2017-18 school year, "with a few tweaks."