'TALKING TAYLOR SCHOOLS SPECIAL Q&A" with West Counselor Amy Hicks on the transition to high school

West Middle School eighth-grade Counselor Amy Hicks has been involved in middle school-to-high school transitioning programs like “Mix It Up,” which bring together high school-age student mentors with eighth-graders scheduled to attend high school in an effort to make the entire process easier.

Here’s what she had to say about what can be a difficult transition during a special “Talking Taylor Schools Q&A.”

Question: Is it really that hard to transition from middle school to high school? What types of problems do you usually see? What are the most difficult problems that students entering high school face today? Is it the academic load or things like social pressures or even bullying?

Yes, transitioning can be tough. That is why we have a ninth-grade advisor at each high school and programs like “Link Crew.” According to Jen Louwers (former Kennedy counselor that is now at West) one of the biggest issues that occur for freshman is that students usually receive the lowest grades of their academic life as they adjust to high school (with higher and greater) grading/expectations. Pressures include parental pressures and social influence to do what they are not supposed to do. The students have more freedom to make mistakes in high school, so they are more susceptible to it.

The Teaching Tolerance Web site is very focused on bringing divergent groups (or individuals) together. Is that a problem with today's schools from your point of view? Or are children much more tolerant of other races and religions than they used to be? And how does that relate to the Taylor schools specifically? After all, the population of the city is very diverse.

Our goal and focus of “Mix It Up” is to break students out of their social circles to meet new students in the school that are different than their usual clique of friends. (Overall) this activity is not geared toward race or religion.

Do you do anything special with school of choice students? That has to be a little tougher, since they are coming to Taylor from all over. You have a significant percentage there. Is there a special part of the program for them?

Nothing is done differently with school of choice students. It is not a tough transition for these students. The only difference from others with these students is that they don't ride the bus.

Is it difficult to get the older kids involved in the mentoring portion of this program? Can you tell us a little about them and the type of high school students that you're looking for?

It is not difficult to get students involved in programs such as “Link Crew.” The students actually apply and interview for these programs. Juniors and seniors are the best candidates. They show leadership capabilities. This is not based on academics. They are students from all different social groups.

How can parents play a role here?

Parents can play a role by encouraging diversity and demonstrating an understanding of others’ differences themselves.

For more information on what is available for families with students who are transitioning into high school, click here to go to the Wilson Middle School Counselors Web site page, which includes updates, direct-link emails and addition information for parents on issues like cyber bullying, community resources, parent resources, etc. For more on the "Mix It Up" event held in April, click here.