When Dr. Aubrey Todd, the districts Director of Secondary Education knocked on the door of former Normandy High School student Brittany G., she, along with her mother was somewhat hesitant to speak with Todd and the five volunteers that accompanied him.  Todd immediately explained that he and his teammates were there to find out why Brittany did not complete the 2009-2010 school year.

"We understand that you may have experienced some problems, but we are here to show that we are concerned about you and to encourage you to complete your education," said Todd.

As Brittany smiled, she immediately told the team that she had recently reenrolled in the high school, and her plans were to attain a high school diploma and a college education.

The team members cheered for Brittany, offered words of encouragement and assistance to her as she progressed through the school year.

This was just one of many similar scenes during the district's second annual Reach Out to Dropouts (ROTD) event.  Over 90 volunteers canvassed area neighborhoods, visiting the homes of students who were identified as dropping out during the previous school year or having the potential of dropping out due to chronic absenteeism.

"If I'm willing to come and knock on your door, I'm telling you you're important to me and I respect you. There's something very powerful about coming to somebody in their own home and saying, you're important," said Nancy Hartman, a school board member and ROTD volunteer.

At the end of the 2009-2010 school year, 76 students were identified as "lost" from enrollment and targeted for visits from ROTD volunteers.  Of those 76, 13 appointments were made for students to meet with Normandy High School counselors to discuss their options for reenrolling into the high school program or an optional program; 12 students stated they had already enrolled in Normandy High School or the district's Positive Alternative Learning (PAL) Center for the current school year; seven indicated they were in an alternative program such as Job Corps or taking GED courses; three are enrolled in other districts and one student returned to the high school on the day of the event to complete the registration process. 

When Terrance B. entered the cafeteria at Normandy High School, which served as the home base for ROTD volunteers, he was greeted with a round of applause.  As he completed registration information, he was consistently approached by volunteers offering words of encouragement and applauding his decision to return to school.

"I didn't think that anyone cared," said Terrance.  "They are helping me by showing that they care about me and my education."  Terrance went on to say that completing his high school education would make his father very proud of him.

Thanks to ROTD, three former dropouts who were contacted last year are now high school graduates, and one of the students is enrolled in college.  During the week following the event, the district received various calls from students and/or parents inquiring about the program.  One of the most compelling calls was from a student who last attended school in 2001 and wanted to find out how she could acquire her high school diploma.  She was referred to the district's Director of Counseling and Guidance Services, who spoke with her regarding her options.  Counselors are also following-up with all of the students visited during the ROTD event who indicated a desire to complete their education to ensure their success.