LEWISTON – For the first time, eighth-graders at Lewiston Middle School will participate in a daylong orientation Tuesday to help them learn how to make the most out of high school.

The “Kick Off Day 2007” will show the future Lewiston High Class of 2011 and their parents how to enjoy success in high school.

“There are opportunities for every single student that we have, but they have to be proactive,” said middle school aspirations teacher Billie Jo Brito, who is planning the day.

There are programs offering help in academics, early college courses and community programs like the Air Force Jr. ROTC. But students can’t sit back, she said. “This is to get them excited about moving on to high school,” Brito said.

On Tuesday eighth-graders will hear from senior Jared Turcotte, who will be their motivational speaker.

Turcotte was named by Sports Illustrated as the top football player in Maine in its national high school football preview. A member of the National Honor Society, Turcotte has won several awards, and was recruited by Ivy League colleges. He decided to attend the University of Maine in Orono this fall. His career goal is to work in the medical field as a physician assistant, occupational therapist or team trainer.

On Tuesday Turcotte will talk about his high school experience, how much time he spent reading and doing homework. He’ll offer eighth-graders some advice: “Personally, I set high goals and tried to achieve them,” Turcotte said Thursday.

It’s important for students to set goals and work hard to achieve them, he said. Going from the eighth grade to high school doesn’t have to be a difficult transition, but the first year is important, he said.

“It can make it or break it,” Turcotte said. “If you have a really bad grade-point average your freshman year, you’ll have to work twice as hard” later to improve. “If you start out with a good freshman year, you can’t really relax,” but will be in a better position the remaining years, he said.

During the evening his mother, Nadine Turcotte, will talk to parents about what they can do to help their sons and daughters succeed in high school. Her talk will begin at 6:30 in the middle school auditorium.

The role parents play “is critical,” high school Principal Gus LeBlanc said. As students get older, its normal for parents to back away, but high school students need their parents to be involved, he said.

“Parents need to realize decisions about courses they take and what students do to prepare are just so important,” he said. LeBlanc said he stresses what students do in high school impacts the rest of their lives. High school needs to be approached “with the utmost seriousness.”

Other activities Tuesday include eighth-graders participating in a “Get A Life” game. “Get a Life” will show what kind of lifestyles students could lead as adults based on what kind of income they’ll make, and what kind of education they’ll need to support that, Brito said.

All eighth-graders will also take a tour of Central Maine Community College in Auburn. For lunch, some will eat at CMCC, some at Bates College, and others at the Green Ladle Restaurant, a culinary arts program run by area high school students.

For more information, phone Brito at 795-4180, or e-mail her at [email protected]

“Kick Off Day 2007”

What: High school orientation for Lewiston Middle School eighth-graders, the Class of 2011, and their parents

When: Tuesday, April 10, during the school day for students; 6:30 p.m. for parents

Where: Lewiston Middle School

Why: To help eighth-graders and their parents get ready for high school