By Yasir Khaleq, Viet Vu, and Katherine Reis, Staff Writers
The Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) program is a new idea at Fountain Valley High School; one that’s looking to show freshman on campus the true spirit of Baron For Life (B4L) and to help with bullying issues.
Although it’s full introduction awaits until next year, the seeds have been planted this year. Assistant Principal of Supervision Marc Trocchio has trained 23 students in the PAL program this year in order to increase interest next year. Several ideas have already been implemented. For example, students could take a freshman to a football game this year and it would help them clear a Saturday school. This is one way the PAL program hopes to integrate freshmen into the Baron lifestyle.
“Basically what [PAL] does to our campus is that it gives students the ability to be leaders among their peers with regards to many social justice issues that we may have on campus,” said Trocchio. “For example, taking on bullying issues, cyber bullying, drunk driving, all kinds of issues and bringing light to our campus.”
PAL has been a program for about 20 years now, first being thought of and developed by educators in Southern California and Texas. Throughout the years, the PAL program has been successful in many schools, including one many students at FVHS may be familiar with.
“Many schools, for example, Masuda, have a very strong PAL program that’s been going on for years and years. With many Masuda students coming to FVHS, there was a need and a calling from many community members,” said Trocchio.
Link Crew at FVHS is a useful tool that looks to get freshmen excited for high school during the summer. However, once the school year begins, Link Crew falters. The PAL program looks to solve that problem by intertwining itself with Link Crew. This includes an actual PAL class that could be taken if it fits in one’s schedule. If the class is unavailable to them due to scheduling issues, the PAL club is encouraged.
“At the end of the day we want to take the great training that they get in Link Crew, and that connection that they make with incoming Barons, and have that sustain throughout the year. Then we want it to turn over. We want them to inspire those ninth graders, and have them say ‘I had a great Link Crew mentor my freshman year, I want to do that’. Hopefully we’ll see a turn over year by year,” said Trocchio.
The ultimate goal of PAL and Link Crew is to uplift the Baron spirit at FVHS and make everyone feel welcomed.
“We have such a gracious and amazing culture at FVHS. I believe that Fountain Valley PAL and Link Crew combined is going to make our culture even stronger. We want kids coming in as ninth graders, getting attached to our school, feeling comfortable and living that whole B4L culture, which is a genuinely real thing,” said Trocchio.
