The Boomerang Project
“You get back what you give.”
The Company
The Boomerang Project embodies a passionate dedication to the belief that “if we all put out the best we have to offer to the world, it will come back many times over.” This strong ethic of reciprocity and a commitment to helping schools establish a systemic approach to building safe, informed, and connected school communities have been the catalysts to the company’s continued growth.
Throughout the course of their more than 60 combined years in education, Mary Beth Campbell, Carolyn Hill and Micah Jacobson recognized the need for quality in-service and training programs that would empower teachers and students to achieve their highest potential. They met in 1993 working as teachers and trainers for a company that designed, and implemented high school transition courses. The trio then joined together in 2004 around their vision of implementing programs to boost student confidence and enhance the climate in schools throughout the United States and Canada. Now over 2400 high schools and middle schools use the Boomerang Project programs to help eliminate bullying, enhance character development, improve discipline, increase attendance and make schools safer places for students so they may thrive.
The core focus of the Boomerang Project has been developing and continually improving dynamic curriculum and engaging programs called Link Crew in high schools, and WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) in middle schools. The three founders head a team of skilled coaches (all seasoned teacher coordinators) who present intensive professional development seminars on how to implement the programs in school communities. Ongoing professional support is also provided following training. Key to the success of both programs are the older students who are cultivated, trained and mentored by faculty coordinators to be positive role models and effective leaders
The Boomerang Project team base their programs on the reality that new 6th and 9th graders struggle to fit in to the unfamiliar surroundings of a new school filled with all new faces, leaving many students feeling alienated and insecure. Data continues to show a high rate of failure in the transition years and the decreased student connection to the school community has spawned, in some cases, tragic results. Link Crew and WEB programs have proven to be invaluable tools that help enable students to build vital peer relationships and reach optimal levels of achievement.
Particularly in these times of shrinking budgets, the Boomerang Project’s Link Crew and WEB programs offer a crucial self-sustaining backbone of academic and social support for transitioning students. It is the team’s mission to help as many schools as possible provide this excellent foundation to facilitate success at every level.
The Products
Link Crew
A multi-faceted high school transition program, Link Crew is intended to encourage freshmen to feel connected, safe, informed and comfortable during the first year of high school. The proven program increases school attendance, improves academic performance, promotes school pride and decreases discipline issues.
WEB
WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) is a middle school transition program that welcomes 6th/7th graders and helps make them feel safe, connected, informed and comfortable throughout the first year of their middle school experience.
Books
Springboard: Quick, Creative Activities to Launch Learning
Open to Outcome: A practical guide to facilitating and teaching
Focus: 36 Ten Minute Lesson Plans
Link Crew Class Curriculum
Statistics of Success for Link Crew and WEB
Over the past 16 years:
- Programs used by schools in 41 US states and 4 Canadian provinces
- 7000 teachers have been trained
- Over 6.5 million kids have been through the program
- 1 million students annually have been mentored through the program for the last 6 years
- 150,000 student leaders are trained annually
Valley Middle School, Carlsbad, California
In three years there was:
• 93% decrease in 6th grade suspensions
• 61% decrease in 6th graders with Ds or Fs
• 63% decrease in 6th grade tardies
• 75% decrease in 6th grade referrals
Shanahan Middle School, Lewis Center, Ohio
• 20% reduction in 6th grade absences
• 37% reduction in 6th grade disciplinary referrals
• 54% reduction in 6th grade D’s and F’s
Rialto High School, Rialto, CA
In the first semester there was:
• 75 % decrease in freshman absences
• 53% decrease in freshman suspensions
After one year there was:
• 75% increase in freshman attendance
North Farmington High School, Farmington Hills, Michigan
• 38% reduction in freshman Saturday School detentions
• 30% reduction in unexcused freshman absences
• 24% reduction in overall freshman referrals
• 19% reduction in freshmen who earned Fs
The Boomerang Project Philosophy
* We believe in education.
* We believe the voice of one teacher can have a profound impact on the life of a child.
* We believe that what happens in your classroom and at your school can change lives.
* We believe in students and what they have to offer.
* We believe in the hope and opportunity that schools provide.
* We believe in the vision of what schools can be.
* We believe you get back what you give.