Schools As a former teacher of ninth-grade students, David Cooke has seen firsthand how middle school preparedness, or lack thereof, is intertwined with student success in high school.
“It became clearly apparent to me that the ninth grade is the most critical year in high school,” he said. “Now, as a middle school principal, I have seen the connection between successful students and a strong support system.”
That’s why Cooke, the principal of Jemtegaard Middle School in Washougal, has come up with a unique program targeted at eighth-grade boys.
A group, which included educators and parents, sought to answer the questions of how to help boys become successful young men, build a strong group of leaders who transition successfully to high school, support boys without a male role model in the home, and help them build a support system that encourages healthy choices.
“In our quest to answer these questions, our MAN U program has emerged,” Cooke said. “Throughout this school year we will bring our eighth-grade boys from Canyon Creek and Jemtegaard together for a series of events so they can be exposed to new experiences, learn, create and build new connections with peers and adults.”
