New Wolves To Badgers Program Prepares 8th Graders For Smooth Transition To Badger High School November 22, 2016 - Ensuring that our students make successful and smooth transitions between grade levels and schools has always been a top priority for Lake Geneva Schools. This year, with the rollout of our new strategic plan and in line with the "developing the whole child" objective, we're diving in even deeper to explore ways to further enhance our existing district-wide transition programs. Our new Wolves to Badgers program is great example of the work being done in this area. The Wolves to Badgers Transition Program is designed to give 8th graders opportunities to familiarize themselves with Badger High School and explore classes and career pathway programs that will be available to them. "Making the move from middle to high school is exciting, but it can also cause feelings of uncertainty for some students," said Grant Strobel, principal at Lake Geneva Middle School (LGMS).

Lake Geneva Schools’ Wolves to Badgers transition program kicked off in November. This new program is designed to provide 8th graders hands-on opportunities to explore some of the exciting classes and career pathway programs available to them at Badger, and prepare them for a smooth transition to high school.

Strobel said LGMS and Badger staff have always worked to provide ample opportunities for 8th graders to tour Badger and meet with the principals and counselors. Incoming freshmen even have their own "freshmen first day" at the start of the school year. But, the schools felt they could take it a step further and design experiences that give 8th graders opportunities to really explore Badger in hands-on ways. Strobel says that's exactly what Wolves to Badgers does. And in case you’re wondering where the program name came from, the wolf is the LGMS mascot. The first Wolves to Badgers session took place the week of Nov. 14 and was a great success. Eighth graders who enrolled in the program met four nights after school at Badger from 3:15-5:30 pm. They toured the facility, connected with teachers, and participated in one of the following exploratory classes: 

Bucky's Den Challenge: Bucky's own version of the Shark Tank! Students worked in teams to design, create and promote a new apparel item to be sold in the Badger and LGMS school stores. The winning apparel design idea: An Ugly Christmas Sweater (or as

the students called it, "Bucky Claws" shirt). This class gave students great exposure to the classes offered in Badger's business and marketing career pathway. 

Intro To Woodworking: Students explored Badger's architecture and construction career pathway in this class that taught entry-level woodworking skills. Students enjoyed using hand and power tools to complete small woodworking projects.

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Babysitter Certification: Students learned about Badger's human services programs and worked with staff to earn their babysitter safety certification. Participants created a babysitter's bag filled with basic first-aid supplies, a parent notebook and ideas for kidfriendly activities and games.

Transportation was provided from the middle school to Badger, and students had the option to ride Badger's activity/athletic busses home. "Students were really excited and had a great experience," Strobel said. "This program will certainly help prepare them for a smooth transition to high school." Two additional Wolves to Badgers sessions will be offered in January and in the spring to all Badger High School feeder schools. 8th graders and their parents will receive enrollment information in the weeks prior to the start of a new session. Early enrollment is encouraged, as class space is limited. To see more photos from the Wolves to Badgers program, visit the LGMS or Badger facebook pages, available at @Official-Lake-Geneva-Middle-School and @BadgerHighSchool