By Nick Mattera
Niagara Gazette
SANBORN —
More than 100 Niagara-Wheatfield High School students are taking advantage of two summer programs, both of which are geared to set them up for success.
The credit recovery program was made available for students who have failed a course and are seeking to recover those credits before the start of the upcoming school year.
Paula Missana, administrator for ninth grade, said the program is in place to ensure all students are on track for graduation, allowing them to make up credits for all courses at the school, including electives.
“Failure is not an option here,” Missana said. “We will do everything in our power to give the students here at Niagara-Wheatfield an opportunity to succeed. The goal is to graduate and graduate on time and the program gives them one more opportunity to do so.”
The nontraditional four-week class gives the 45 students in ninth through 12th grade an opportunity to complete course work during regular school hours, or at a time that is convenient for them. The program is fully available online 24 hours a day, Missana said.
The program, in its first year of operation, will continue to be offered throughout the regular school year.
A second program in its second year of operation is aiding in the difficult transition students make when jumping from middle school to high school.
Nearly 70 incoming ninth graders are partaking in the summer enrichment program which are project-based courses designed to introduce students to both high school level content, but also the high school lifestyle.
“The transition from middle school to high school can be emotionally difficult on students,” Missana said. “They are now taking course for credits, the school is much bigger, they may be separated from friends. It’s ... not easy.”
The course, which ran daily this week and is taught by ninth-grade teachers, encourages hands-on learning. Students participated in team building activities, building a garden, creating a Web site and portfolio and took three field trips.
“Both of these programs are set up to prepare students for success, that is one of the main goals of (school Superintendent Carl Militello),” Missana said. “He has been an advocate of student and achievement and striving for excellence from all students.”
