GW Danville freshmen get preview of school

By Denice Thibodeau
Danville Register & Bee
Published: August 13, 2008

Freshmen heading for George Washington High School this month are getting some extra help navigating the transition from middle to high school.

“We want these kids to know they can be successful,” Brian Boles said Monday at the start of the new 2008-09 Transition Program.

Boles, a special education teacher and coordinator of the State Council of Higher Education’s GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) at GW, said many of the fears freshman have can be alleviated by giving them the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the school before formal classes begin.

On Monday, the 103 students who signed up for the special two-day program heard from principal Chris Carter and Jay Lancaster, assistant principal in charge of ninth-grade discipline.

Then the students split into smaller groups to participate in four different sessions that covered school rules, what extracurricular activities are available, how to make the transition from middle to high school easier and navigating the school.

“The kids were given a map and a list and sent on a scavenger hunt,” Boles said.

He said the students had to find each location listed on the map and find their way to the next location. With this experience behind them, Boles said, they would find the first day of school easier simply because they will know their way around the building.

On Tuesday, the students are taking a canoe ride from Anglers Park to the bridge at Milton, N.C., with local Boy Scouts. Boles said this will make students more familiar with some of their fellow freshmen.

Regular orientation will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 19 at GW. All 500 incoming freshman and their parents are invited to meet the teachers and staff, and can even win some door prizes while they learn more about GW.

“We have gift cards donated by Ashley Furniture, a desktop computer, MP3 players, gas cards and gift cards from Piedmont Mall all to be given away that night,” Boles said.

Contact Denice Thibodeau at or (434) 791-7985.