During the two weeks beginning April 20, 8^th grade students will travel in small groups to visit Rutland High School. Our goal is to help RMS students get a better sense of high school by spending part of a day in a class, as well as having the opportunity to speak with and ask questions of some of Rutland High School’s current students.

Students will leave RMS in a group of 15-20 students, departing from RMS at 9:15. As a group they will meet with a class entitled “Advanced Leadership,” taught by Mr. Tyler Weideman. A video on RHS, Q &A, and a game will help answer student questions. At the end of that period, GMTI and Key Club members will arrive so that RMS students can shadow a high school partner through most of the next class. Near the end of period, RMS students will return to Mr. Weideman, where they will have the opportunity to eat lunch and wrap up any last questions. The bus will return to RMS by 12:15.

Prior to this, on April 7-9, RHS students will visit the Middle School to join Teacher Advisories. High School students will be leading their younger peers through activities to help them get better acclimated to the systems and the culture of high school life. These RHS students will meet again with their RMS groups in August as they enter the high school. The goal is to have older high school students serve as mentors for these new freshmen.

Our goals for this exchange:

• Create personal connections between incoming freshman and current high school students.
• Give RMS students a better understanding of RHS expectations and routines.
• Decrease the anxiety around entering high school.
• Familiarize incoming freshman of the opportunities RHS has to offer.
• Help RMS students keep their “eyes on the prize” as they move toward the end of their middle school experience.
• Give RMS teachers and staff the opportunity to see and connect with RHS to gain a better understanding of the high school.
• Provide RHS students the opportunity to offer service for younger peers.