#2 Richmond continued -

I left off telling you that David and I had some special plans for his students in the coming week. It is to tell them My story, now Our story.  This week will be full of editing and paring down my original story to fit class time. Lot's or work to do!

First I must tell you about the Success Program (SP) that David teaches at L.C. Bird High School in Richmond.  L.C. Bird HS is a regular part of the Chester County public school system, it is not a 'special or alternative school' in any way, the SP is just one part of the ciriculum.  The SP began about 10 years ago at the hands of teacher Matt Bland.  He saw an enormous need to help kids who had acedemic and social issues.


History of the Success Program: 
The Success Program was created 10 years ago as a 9th grade transition program. Since then, the program has now developed into a "safety-net" for the entire school.  The purpose of the program is to make sure that every student at L.C. Bird has the resouces available to ensure their success in high school.  Initially, rising freshmen are recommended and/or recruited to enter the program during their 8th grade year. In addition, any freshman who is struggling throughout the year will be recruited to enter the program.  All former members of the Success Program are tracked throughout their high school years until they graduate. In addition, grades are monitored for the entire student body throughout the year.  Students who are struggling are offered the opportunity to enter the Success Program in order to improve their academic standing.


Success Program Services:
The Success Program provides 11th and 12 grade student mentors to all of our freshmen students.  Volunteer teachers provide tutoring to all of our students. All Success students have the opportunity to complete homework from other classes, make up quizzes or test and complete projects for other classes; all under the supervision and assistance of Success Program faculty.  School supplies are available for free to Success students. This year we have added a Success Programcomputer lab with over 40 computers. The Success Program also offers an intense SOL remediation program in order to ensure all of our students successfully pass their SOLs


According to the Richmond Times Dispatch "....the national average for freshmen failures is approximately 20%...."