WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP — Plans are in the works to ease the transition for Lakota Local Schools' incoming seventh-graders who will change schools each of the next four years under the new redistricting plan.

        The redistricting would take effect in 2003 when Lakota opens new elementary and junior schools, necessitating a change in the attendance districts for most of the elementary and junior schools. About 60 percent of this year's seventh-graders would go to one junior school for seventh grade, and another for eighth.

        “We didn't want them to be in seventh grade and wonder what would happen when they get to eighth grade,” said Superintendent Kathleen Klink. “We wanted to address all the things kids are interested in — student government, band, athletics, extracurriculars.”

        The transition plan, scheduled to begin in August and continue throughout the 2002-03 school year, includes activities both for students and their parents who may find themselves starting in one school's parent-teacher group and moving to another one the following year. Specific details of the plan are still being worked out, but include opportunities for students to visit their new school several times and to have teacher exchanges periodically.

        “We did this together and tried to cover both social areas and academic areas,” said Ed Rudder, principal at Ridge Junior School, which opened in 1997.

        Throughout the year, seventh-graders who will change schools as eighth-graders will have a chance to participate in activities at their eighth-grade school. For example, they will be invited to student dances and might participate in some choir, band or athletic activities at their eighth grade school. Pen-pal exchanges between students will also be arranged.

        “We want the kids to develop some connections and build friendships with people at their new school,” said Ron Spurlock, Liberty Junior School's principal.

        Ridge will lose about two-thirds of next year's seventh-graders who will be reassigned to the new junior school as eighth graders. But they will know their new principal, Bruce Lewis, now Ridge's assistant principal, who will become principal at the new junior school.

        Next summer, before the school opens, there will be tours and some orientation.

Police, Feds go after gun criminals
Indiana quake rattles nerves, little else
Teams look for a place to call home
Trip shows convention's importance to officials
Add to the mix to revitalize OTR, city manager says
Auditor irked by flag
Black Achievers recognized
Chabot urges late-abortion ban
City considers community monitors
Obituary: Paul Keels, ran award-winning auto dealership
Plans for parking lot supported
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Welcome mat
HOWARD: Some Good News
KORTE: City Hall
SAMPLES GUTIERREZ: Loud and clear
SMITH AMOS: Groundbreaking
Case of missing baseball money sent to grand jury
District aims to smooth transition
Little Miami schools face cuts
Loveland development opposed
Primary win came at a price
Teen guilty in girl's rape
Taft proposes disclosure
Fayette County unloads old school buses on eBay
Ky.'s latest finance fix could falter
Lt. Gov. explores race
NewCath downplays letter
Priests could be dismissed
Sand tiger shark dies
State wobbles in purchase of land
Villa Hills celebrates 40 years