Project Transition has been a vital component of the educational program at Bryan Station High School since January 1991.  Developed through a two year Kentucky department of education grant to assist dropout prone at-risk students entering high school, Project Transition has provided a systematic and comprehensive process to assist student success in school. The Project Transition staff composed of an educator and a social worker working directly as a team in a dropout prevention program was one of the first such programs in the nation in 1991.

The program has focused on critical transition points, successfully reducing the number of students who dropout of high school.  Since Project Transitions beginning at Bryan Station High School, the students involved in the program have shown an overall 55% increase in classes passed and a 63% decrease in absences.  The student group has decreased the number of suspension and days suspended by over 90%.

Project Transition targets areas of academics, attendance, student conduct, and parent contact as its primary areas to produce successful students.  These areas include, but are not limited to, daily monitoring, individual tutoring, parent conferencing, updates from teachers, individual counseling, educational support group, and acting as a liaison between school and community agencies.  The ESS (Extended School Services) program continues to partner with Project Transition to work with students after regular school hours.  Tutors are provided during the school day in the Project Transition room by area colleges and community volunteers.  A career shadow program linked with several community businesses provide students with an overview of careers and the relevancy of their high school education.  The Project Transition room is equipped with seven computer stations donated by the programs community business partner (Central Bank).  Incentives and rewards are provided for student improvement. Examples are pizza parties, ice cream socials, field trips, movie passes, sporting event tickets, and special luncheons. 

The programs community business partner, Central Bank, has provided annual funding of $3,000 per year to assist the program in meeting the needs of the Project Transition students.  Central Bank also provides funding ($750) for a year end luncheon at a local restaurant for the graduating seniors of Project Transition.

The Project Transition program and staff have received both state and national recognitions and awards for successful work in dropout prevention and providing a positive, supportive program to improve the success of students while keeping them focused on their goals and in school.

As the staff of Project Transition, we believe it is the personal touch and caring relationships developed with our students that form a solid foundation for positive change and success in school. Our role as “parent on location” has provided a link between home and school involving the parents as participants in their children’s education.  We adhere to the statement “They first want to know how much you care before they care how much you know.”

This program has been a vital part of the school and over 300 students have graduated through the assistance of Project Transition.  Project Transition has now been replicated at all five of Lexington's high schools.

 PROJECT TRANSITION STAFF

Lonnie Leland: (Program Coordinator)    Mr. Leland's career in education spans 35 years.  For 18 years he has been Project Transition Coordinator at Bryan Station High School.  Lonnie started the program and has guided its development since its inception in 1992.  He holds a B.S. and M.A. degree, a school administration certification, and is a credentialed minister.  He was the recipient of the 1995 KASSW State "Friend of School Social Work Award" and was presented an "Honorary Lifetime Membership" by the Kentucky state PTA in 1998 for his successful work in dropout prevention.  The National Dropout Prevention Center presented Lonnie at the "2000 NDPC/N National Conference" its annual "Crystal Star of Excellence Award".  Mr. Leland continues giving presentations on dropout prevention on state, regional, and national levels.

Email- Mr. Leland: lonnie.leland@fayette.kyschools.us

Brandy Jones: (Program Social Worker):  Brandy Jones has been with Project Transition since March of 2008.  Brandy earned her BA in Spanish from Transylvania University in 2003 and her Masters in Social Work from the University of Kentucky in 2008.   She enjoys working with Lonnie and the students at Bryan Station High School.  Mrs. Jones feels fortunate to be able to work in a school and with a program that is so focused on helping students overcome obstacles in order to achieve personal success.  She looks forward to being a part of Project Transition for years to come.

Email: Mrs. Jones:  brandy.jones@fayette.kyschools.us

*Project Transition is located in Room 284.  Please feel free to stop by or contact us directly at 381-3324 or 299-3392. 

PROJECT TRANSITION STUDENT INCLUSION CRITERIA

• Referral by feeder Middle School Counseling Office the semester before entering  BSHS or by the BSHS Counseling Office or BSHS Principal.

• Students dropping out of high school.

• Students from families who have themselves achieved little academic success.

• Students with poor academic performance.

• Students with poor attendance.

• Students with high suspension rates.

• Students who have been retained one or more years.

• Lack of career awareness that is necessary to make successful transitions.

• Students and parents with counseling needs and need of a liaison.

• Students in need of support groups in the areas of teen-parenting, conflict management, self-esteem, study skills, and grief support.

• Students in crisis and in need of crisis intervention.

PROJECT TRANSITION UMBRELLA OF PROGRAM SERVICES

• Daily monitoring of attendance and follow-up calls to parents/guardian during morning hours.

• Contact with each of the Project Transition students every morning for awareness of student needs.

• Assistance to teachers of Project Transition students.

• Individual tutoring.

• Involving Project Transition students in various county-wide and state competitions.

• Liaison between outside service agencies (public and private) and school.

• Conferences and interventions.

• Liaison between home and school.

• Educational field trips.

• Career Shadow experiences with  several community businesses (Juniors and Seniors only)

• Career assessment and learning styles testing.

• Student support groups.

• Training in study skills.

• Crisis interventions

• Providing incentives and rewards for academic improvement and success (ice cream parties, pizza lunches, special field trips, sporting and other event tickets, movie passes, semester 2.5 + GPA awards, special restaurant outings for semester 3.0+ GPAs, special gift coupons).