Sara Stadem | Editor
The Tri-Valley and West Central school districts want to help their students with more than just their education which is one reason why both schools have implemented a mentoring program.
According to Tri-Valley school counselor Whitney Burroughs, the goal of their mentoring program is to improve self-esteem and positive feelings towards school. “Results of the mentor program and similar programs elsewhere in the country indicate an improvement in attendance, academic performance and the desire to stay in school,” Burroughs states.
Burroughs explained Tri-Valley students are referred to the mentoring program in a number of ways. They can be referred by teachers, staff members or parents/guardians who feel a student would greatly benefit from having a relationship with a positive high school role model.
Information about the mentoring program at Tri-Valley is sent via email to high school students in order to bring awareness to the volunteer opportunity. Announcements are also made to high school students in order for the students to know where to find any additional information about the program.
To be selected as a mentor in the Tri-Valley Mentoring Program, high school students are evaluated based on their grades, character and interest in working with younger students. “The high school students have to complete an application and this application does require a letter of recommendation from one of their teachers to share more about why they would be a good fit in working with younger students,” said Burroughs.
West Central High School is newer to the mentoring program according to Jennifer Poulos. Poulos is the Family & Consumer Science Teacher and FCCLA Adviser at West Central and spearheaded the start of the West Central mentoring program which began the second semester of this school year.
When asked what made West Central decide to start a mentoring program, Poulos stated, “As a middle school and high school teacher I saw a need for the younger children to have a positive influence from someone closer to their age.” She continued, “This is when I decided to reach out to the FCCLA members, Student Council, Educators Rising and National Honor Society members on providing that service to the middle school children.”
Tri-Valley Mentoring Program has been put on hold this year due to COVID-19. However, prior to the hold, the students in the mentoring program were able to play games, color, talk, eat lunch together and more according to Burroughs. “Anything that they enjoy doing and that will allow them to build a better relationship together.” The mentors and mentees would meet once a week for about 20-30 minutes in a location approved by the mentoring coordinator.
With COVID-19 causing restrictions with the mentoring program at Tri-Valley, the school has increased their attention in other areas. “Since we are unable to provide the mentoring program this year due to COVID, more attention is spent on students having a stronger relationship with their teachers and other staff members (coaches, the school counselor, the principal),” Burroughs stated. She continued, “While students are not getting that high school role model mentor, they are still forming positive relationships with those they interact with on a daily basis.”
Although West Central’s mentoring program is just getting underway, there is already a good turnout according to Poulos. “Currently we have 30 pairs matched.” Poulos continued, “The students will have guided tasks each week, which could include a Get-to-Know you session, physical activity in the gym, games, leadership guidance and just a positive role model time.”
Tri-Valley hopes to get to reinstate their mentoring program next school year as many students look forward to their time with the mentor. “The elementary students who get the opportunity to have a high school mentor absolutely LOVE their time with their mentors. They know what day and time they come to meet with them each week and they really look forward to that time,” said Burroughs. She continued, “Seeing how excited they get about having such a positive relationship helps them to see how valuable they are as individuals and how they are capable of achieving great things in their lives.”
When asked what she enjoys most about the program Burroughs said, “I love seeing how much both the mentors and mentees love their time together and the positive impacts it has on the younger mentee students; positive self-esteem, improved academics, improved peer relationships and increased positive attitudes toward school.”
