This week's featured question:

Dear Judy,

I will be attending a new high school in the fall. I'm really, really sad because I was picked to attend a school that was way at the bottom of my list. What makes matters worse, I had teachers tell me that I have to be careful of gang members in the school I will be going to. I want to become a nurse. I wanted to go to Health Opportunities in the Bronx. Now I feel like I just want to drop out. Can you please give me some advice as to what to do? Thank you.

– No Child Left Behind

Judy answers:

Dear NCLB,

It sounds like you missed the opportunity to appeal your placement in the spring. But take heart, there are still some new schools opening in the fall and you may be able to attend one of them. The Department of Education has been holding fairs for new schools that still have openings. Insideschools published a rundown on some of the schools when they were announced earlier this year. As there is no guarantee that you will find a school you like or that there will be an opening at the school of your choice, you might still have to attend the dreaded last choice you've been sent to. So rather than start out with a totally negative attitude, use the remaining weeks of summer to prepare to make the most of freshman year.

First, check the travel route and neighborhood. Perhaps there is a friend or neighbor who is also going there and you can travel together. Even if you go it alone, make sure you know the safest way. When you start classes, find a club, sport or other activity to join. Clubs are fun for their own sake but they will also help you make new friends and gather a support group to stand by if gangs or others threaten you.

Look for classes that will support a nursing career so you won't lose ground. Science and math are naturals, since nurses are responsible for some quite complicated procedures and calculations these days. Volunteer to help out in the school nurse's office or health clinic, if there is one.

But is there really gang activity at the school? To find out you can call the Gang Unit at the Department of Education's Division of School Safety and Prevention at 718-923-5185 or 718-923-5082. You can ask if there really is a problem at your school or report the rumors that you heard. You don't have to identify yourself and alerting the Department of Education early on may result in improved safety.

If things remain really depressing you still have some choices. You can go through the high school admissions process all over again for 10th grade. Or, you can ask for a No Child Left Behind transfer. Since you signed yourself No Child Left Behind, you already know that the NCLB law designates certain schools as so low-performing that kids can transfer out. Is your school one of those? The problem is that the choices NCLB transferees get may not be your first choice either.

Another long shot: Go to your guidance counselor; explain that the curriculum at the school is nowhere near the one you were looking for. And ask for the counselor's help to get a "guidance" transfer. And, if you live more than 90 minutes and many trains and buses away from the school, ask for a travel transfer.

To transfer, you have to visit the local school enrollment offices. By August 25th there will be special enrollment centers opening as well. Whatever you do, DON'T DROP OUT! That's years wasted and nursing out the door.

There are still a few weeks of summer left so hang in there and think positively.

Judy

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