The informational materials about the White River School District levy discusses the programs that would be impacted if the levy fails to pass. One such program is AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) which is an elective offered to students starting in seventh grade.

AVID is a nationally recognized program with the goal of empowering students with both the knowledge and skills to take charge of their own education. Students in AVID are often first-generation college students with big college and career dreams who may not have resources or support available to realize those goals. Many of these students would fall into the achievement gap as they do not qualify for other support services. The academic and organizational support provided by AVID is crucial to helping these students reach their goal of attending college.

AVID is a unique elective where students submit a written application and interview for admission to the class which helps them with real world communication skills. Students also sign a contract agreeing to stay with AVID, maintain good attendance, and come prepared to class each and every day. Students have the same AVID elective teacher for their 7th and 8th grade class, then they apply for the high school elective at the end of 8th grade. High school AVID elective teachers stay with the same class from freshman to senior year and provide tremendous emotional and academic support as these students navigate both classes and events outside the classroom that impact the student’s ability to learn. These classes become very close – many call themselves a family – and help each other through high school and beyond.

Each year nearly 150 students are served in grades 7-12 and to date, AVID cords have been awarded to 253 graduating seniors since the program came to White River in 2008. Beyond the AVID classroom, elective teachers instruct their peers on proven AVID methods such as focused note taking, and strategies for reading, writing and organization. AVID elective teachers attend summer training to bring these strategies back for school-wide implementation.

As part of the AVID mission, each year the students visit at least one college campus in Washington state. When the students see and hear what they can do in college, it provides them with a greater understanding of what they need to do tomake college attendance a reality. Once back in class, the students are provided guidance on how to apply for college and scholarships. Over the last 5 years, graduating AVID seniors have earned over $1,000,000 in scholarships – an amount that would not have been possible without the support of the elective teachers and rigorous course work in all areas that are supported in part by levy dollars.

The AVID program has become an essential part of ensuring students in the White River School District are prepared for life beyond high school — please support the levy in the White River School District to ensure AVID and other elective, athletic and artistic programs are able to support our students.

Nikki Slominski

Buckley