BETHEL — Friends, sports and career preparation are the most-named reasons that keep students “connected” to Telstar High School, a recent survey shows.

The survey was done as part of an annual update of the SAD 44 Dropout Prevention Plan. Principal Dan Hart presented the results to the School Board on Monday.

Students were asked to list three things that connect them to Telstar, labeled as Connection 1, Connection 2, and Connection 3. “Is it a favorite teacher, playing sports, social interaction with your classmates, career planning (college, military) or something else?” the Dropout Prevention Committee asked on the 250 surveys.

Of the surveys completed, 204 students responded with a Connection 1, 192 with a Connection 2, and 177 with a Connection 3.

The top listing was ‘friends,” which was noted 130 times among all connections listed. Second was “sports,” named 101 times. Career preparation or similar academic self-improvement was listed a total of 76 times.

In addition to the top three reasons listed, others included a favorite teacher (by name, in some cases), classes they liked, satellite groups and other extra curricular activities (such as student or library aide, drama club, band or other music program, Student Council).

Less positive offerings included “getting out,” “lack of a better option,” “my parents make me go,” and “the truant lady will get me if I don’t.”

Hart also outlined procedures and steps to reduce the number of students dropping out of Telstar. Among them: an academic-recovery system to teach students essential academic skills; regular teacher team meetings to identify at-risk students; professional development activities on learning styles for academic staff; continuation of student advisory systems; a formalized literacy program; expanded transition activities between schools; and providing multiple pathways for learning, such as outdoor-leadership education.

Woodstock director Marcel Polak asked Hart if he had statistical data showing dropout rates at Telstar.

Hart said he did not, and that the dropout prevention plan focuses on procedures.

“I like to think our rate is low compared to other schools our size,” he said.

Hart said in some cases, students complete the 11th grade, then decide to finish through the SAD 44 Adult Education program to earn a GED. In that case, the state still considers the student a dropout. Also considered a dropout, he said, is a student who goes to Telstar for five years to earn a diploma.

Polak said he hoped dropout statistics would be available in the future.

“We need some baseline to judge how we’re doing,” he said.

After the meeting Hart elaborated on the numbers of students in danger of dropping out.

He said the THS staff works with six to 10 students a year, through intervention and support activities to ensure they stay in school.

On average, he said, three or four students a year drop out after all activities and resources have been exhausted. They are required to participate in an “exit from school interview/meeting” with a parent or mentor, and lay out plans such as finding a job, pursuing a GED or enrolling in adult education.