Tucker High program educates freshmen

Kristen Ellyson knows how hard it is to be a high school freshman. Just three years ago, she was one.

Now a senior at J.R. Tucker High School, she's among 100 upperclassmen who have signed up as mentors to help Tucker's incoming freshman class get off to a smooth start as part of the school's new Freshmen Academy program.

"I remember coming in, you don't know anyone," Ellyson said. "I wanted to make it a more enjoyable experience."

The program kicked off yesterday with Tiger Camp, where freshmen and mentors spent the day learning about each other and the school. Tucker will be organized differently this year, with one building dedicated solely to freshmen homerooms and core classes.

In yesterday's breakout ses sions, the mentors pulled no punches about how school operates. Cell phones, for instance, are not allowed during the school day. Violation means loss of the phone for 24 hours, and a parent must come to school to retrieve it.

"Don't think of going to the bathroom to check your messages. They will catch you. It happens all the time," said Kate Jordan, a junior mentor.

Tucker has 444 freshmen enrolled this year, one of the largest classes ever, Assistant Principal Reginald Davenport said. More than 100 of them will move to the new Glen Allen High School after their first year at Tucker.

Patrick Hernandez, who attended Hungary Creek Middle School, had mixed feelings about making the switch.

"I like this school," he said. "My brother went here. I like the way it's set up. But I'm still excited about the new school."

He said he appreciated the Tiger Camp kick-off because it helped him get to know some upperclassmen and kids his age.

Kevin Ice and Tiffany Khelfa, who attended Moody Middle School, expect to graduate from Tucker. They were a bit befuddled by Tucker's campus-style layout but grateful for the chance to explore it in advance.

Otherwise, "I wouldn't know what to do on the first day," Kevin said.

The biggest laughs of the day came from the skit showing students what not to wear. The Henrico School Board adopted a countywide dress code this year, banning items such as ripped jeans, exposed underwear, tube tops, short shorts and spiked jewelry.

Derek Cardwell would not pass muster with a bandanna over his face or hanging out of his pocket. Jonathan Perez and his lucky-dice T-shirt would have to part company at the school door. Priscilla Pham would be fine in sweatpants and hoodie, but when she reappeared in a swimsuit covered by a tube top, commentator Joi Crenshaw quipped, "Honey, vacation is over."

When the freshmen show up to start classes Sept. 8, Davenport hopes the Freshman Academy will make a difference.

Statistics show that one of three students fail at least one course in the freshman year, creating a retention rate that's higher than any other grade. Students who are held back in ninth grade have a greater chance of not graduating at all, Davenport said.

"We want to give opportunities for students to be successful," he said. "We want to address issues before they fall behind."

Contact Katherine Calos at (804) 649-6433 or .