Eastipedia: Link Crew

The main purpose of Link Crew is to make the first day for freshmen a fun and smooth transition.  The day starts by all the students meeting in the gym and playing group games. One activity that is used every year is students stand in two lines facing each other and move down so that they meet another new person and then they introduce themselves to each other.  Then the students split into small groups which contain around eight or ten freshmen with two Link Leaders. Students participate in activities, like games such as two truths and lie which is when students go around in a circle and say two thing about them that are true and two things that are a lie then the group guesses which one is the lie , and  64 squares and take a tour of the school. While on the tour of the school, the groups dress up in different costumes and compete in a contest to see which groups costume is the best. The purpose of the costumes is to have fun and give the students a sense of identity. At the end of the day students meet back in the gym and listen to a encouraging speech  given by one of the coordinating teacher encouraging them to spend their time wisely and get involved in school activities. Throughout the day, Link Leaders have freshmen to do silly activities, like singing songs and giving each other back  massages.

Link Crew was first started by The Boomerang Project and came to Shawnee Mission East five years ago. The Boomerang Project was started 19 years ago and is in 41 states and has been implemented in 1,882 schools. The first year Link Crew came to East it was very successful and received  a large amount of positive feedback, so the decision was made to continue it at East. One of the main benefits is that it makes the freshmen less nervous and more excited about entering high school.

The way The Boomerang Project starts the orientation is a group assembly in the gym to get students excited and pumped up for the day.  Next students transition into their small groups for a mentor experience with their Link Leaders, and then the Link Leaders give the freshmen a tour of the school. At the end of the day everyone comes back to the gym  and listens to a  speech  given an administrator.  At East the day also starts in the gym but more games are played and the emphasis is more on meeting new people and becoming comfortable with every one. Another difference at East is in the small groups more geared toward games and having fun rather than a complete mentor system. The speech at the end of the day is given by a  teacher and is focused on encouraging students to embrace high school and become involved during the four years they are here at East. Link Crew is run by four teachers, Ms. Pence, Ms. Birt, Dr. Finney, and Mr. Foley.

“It kind of relaxes them and our whole point is to get them distracted and not stressed and worried on their first day of high school.” Pence said, “We get really good feedback from kids that they do like it and like the set-up of Link Crew.”

Link Crew is also run by Link Leaders, Link Leaders are the juniors and seniors that act as mentors and help the freshmen. Every year in the spring, upperclassmen have the opportunity to apply to become Link Leaders. The application consists of a cover letter with an application and a resume listing their involvement at East.  Every year around 130 to 135 students apply but only 100 to 115 are chosen. In 2006 and 2011 over 200 students applied and many cuts were made. The Link Leaders also have meetings before the first day of school to teach them how to be good mentors.

Link Crew is continued throughout the year in order to maintain a support system for the freshmen. There is a night for the parents of freshman, a freshmen dance, and a finals study party in the winter where freshmen have cookies and hot chocolate and get help from their Link Leaders.