A ‘leap’ into the school year at Palmetto High School

A scavenger hunt helped incoming Palmetto High School freshman learn the ins and outs of the school. A dance-off pitted one student from each grade level against each other. A balloon popping contest prompted squeals of delight.

As part of a new three-day program at Palmetto called “Tiger LEAP,” more than 200 students from all grade levels got a jump start this week on the 2016-17 school year. LEAP, which stands for leadership, enrichment and academic preparation, was open to Palmetto High students pursuing an Advanced International Certificate of Education diploma.

“During the year, we all feel pressed for time, and we thought this was a really good opportunity to hone in on some leadership skills,” said Ashley Flynt, one of the teachers who volunteered to create the program.

Students in Manatee County return to school next Wednesday, and Flynt and other teachers thought Tiger LEAP would be a good way to introduce new students to the school and get older students back into the swing of it.

“It got us used to the campus and stuff,” 14-year-old incoming freshman Jade Parrish said of the scavenger hunt. “It was about teamwork, too.”

The program for each grade level had a different focus. Each activity also had team-building and leadership skills imbedded.

For freshmen, a lot of time was spent getting used to the high school setting. Sophomores focused on writing skills and preparing for AICE exams. Juniors focused on college-entrance exams, and seniors spent a lot of time discussing the ever-important college application.

“We talked about the college essay a lot, which was really useful,” said 16-year-old James Bembry, an incoming senior.

This year, the program was only open to the AICE students and was voluntary. More than 200 students, the bulk incoming freshmen, attended the program.

Toward the end of the morning Wednesday, incoming freshman were tasked to use paper, tape and four cotton balls to create a structure that would keep a raw egg from breaking when it was dropped from atop a cafeteria table. Only one team of students succeeded in the task.

During group sessions, students “competed” among the other grade levels, with officials hoping to foster unity across the grade levels.

Based on feedback from the students,Flynt said she is hoping to do the program again next year — and, hopefully, open it up to more students.

This story was originally published August 4, 2016 at 4:49 PM with the headline "A ‘leap’ into the school year at Palmetto High School."