Eighth grade AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students representing every GCISD middle school recently had the opportunity to observe what a day in the life of a high school student is like on AVID Shadow Day, held Monday, December 9.
Heritage Middle School AVID site coordinator and teacher Kat Gordon explained the purpose of AVID Shadow Day and how it prepares future high school students.
“One of the big things that we focus on in eighth grade AVID is preparing our kids for high school and giving them all the information about what classes they can take and what schools they can attend so that they feel empowered to make the right choice for them,” said Gordon.
Colleyville Middle School AVID site coordinator and teacher Jeanie Pavliska shared what students can expect to learn.
“We're hoping that they have the opportunity to visit with a buddy, ask them questions about high school in general and just kind of experience the campus,” said Pavliska. “They’ll be able to help them feel more comfortable coming into high school.”
Eighth graders fill out a Google survey about their interests and their course pathways. Once that information is compiled, the high school coordinator matches them with a high school student who has similar interests or is taking courses that the eighth grader will enroll in.
Other students are matched with friends and siblings. Heritage Middle School eighth grader Avery Farrow shadowed Colleyville Heritage High School junior Elizabeth Anderson. The two of them met through church.
Anderson hopes the experience gives her friend Farrow a simple takeaway: “High school isn’t something to be scared of. It’s just another opportunity to learn and grow.”
CHHS Freshman Julia Bell is showing the ropes to her younger sister Charlotte from Heritage Middle School.
“I want Charlotte to be better prepared when she reaches high school,” said Julia.
Charlotte thinks seeing the physical campus is good for her. “I’ve never been here before, and it’s nice to see the high school before I go here,” she said.
AVID shadow day isn’t just a learning opportunity for eighth graders, but also for the high school students who are leading them around campus.
“I love seeing the list of the high school students that volunteered because some of the kids that I thought maybe wouldn't put themselves out there for this did. Seeing them blossom in a leadership role is really exciting,” said Gordon.
“It's just a really great day for both middle school and high school to be able to interact and share. I've seen some of the shy students that I had in middle school open up a little on this day to lead their peers,” said Pavliska.