Peer Mentoring - Woodward FMP VI

Woodward Freshmen Mentoring Program (FMP), 

or a Friendly Meeting Place 

Part VI

FRESHMAN MENTOR PROGRAM

Application Form 

What is the purpose of the program?  

The purpose of the FMP is to provide freshman students with a connection at WHS to other members of the student body and ease the transition from junior high to high school throughout their first year. 

What makes the program work?  

To make the program work, we need an awesome group of junior and senior student-mentors who want to help freshmen feel at home at WHS.

How does the program work?  

Each group will meet once a week during lunch in a designated classroom or area.  During this time, the junior and senior mentors will lead the students in an activity, play a game, or discuss upcoming events that would be new to freshman such as homecoming, class yells, academic concerns, etc.  You will be provided the daily topics.

How are the student mentors selected and what is their purpose?  

The student mentors will be selected by an application process which includes leadership skills, academics, etc.  Their purpose is to offer support, answer questions, discuss school, and encourage participation in school events.  Mentors are the ones who develop the group as a safe environment and will be responsible for bringing activities for the group.

What is a successful Mentor?  

A student who is enthusiastic and always prepared!!

Make a difference in a life!

The selection process consists of the following:

Part I - Personal Information

• Academic standing of “B/3.0” average or better.  We will be checking your grades with the counselors. 

• Completed student profile.

• Letter of recommendation from a WHS teacher verifying your character and work ethic is required!!  (Please ask the teacher to e-mail the recommendation directly to Mrs. Hurst or Mrs. Love.)      

Part II – Faculty advisors will make final selection along with an administrator.

Mandatory attendance at FMP and good behavior are part of the responsibility of a good mentor.

Due date:  April 25, 2013

Return to:  Mrs. Hurst Room 201 or Mrs. Love Room 107

Freshman Mentor Program

Student Advisor Profile

Name: _________________________________

Address: ________________________________

City/Zip: ________________________________

Home Phone: _____________________________

Next year’s grade level:  ________________________

  

Teacher letter of recommendation is required to verify that applicant is a good role model for other students and does not have disciplinary issues.  Please ask the teacher to e-mail the recommendation to either Mrs. Hurst or Mrs. Love.  You cannot be considered without this recommendation.

________________________________________________________________________

Applicants:  Please complete in detail the following sections.  (If you have questions, see Mrs. Hurst room 201 or Mrs. Love room 107.)  These need to be answered fully!!

Leadership: (What activities have you participated in that demonstrate this quality?)

Interests and Hobbies:

Community Activities:  (List any activities that you are involved in outside of school.)

  

Extra-Curricular:

Please verify by signature that you will attend all training sessions, usually held during lunch time, and attend group meetings called by Mrs. Hurst and Mrs. Love and prepare activities using online materials.

ATTENDANCE AT FMP SESSIONS IS MANDATORY!!!

Student signature                                                                                Date 

Once again thanks to Mrs. Tacy Hurst for sharing these documents with us. December 11, 2013

Peer Mentoring - Woodward FMP V

Woodward High School Freshman Mentoring Program (FMP), 

or a Friendly Meeting Place 

Part V





These guidelines are valuable to share. Organizations can use this Christmas template for other holidays.

CHRISTMAS DOOR DECORATING CONTEST JUDGING GUIDELINES

JUDGING OF THE DOORS WILL BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

• AN EFFORT WAS MADE TO INCLUDE ALL MEMBERS OF THE FMP GROUP IN THE CONSTRUCTION OR THEME OF THE DECORATION

• THEME IS CHRISTMAS OR WINTER RELATED IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER

• ORIGINALITY OF IDEA

• QUALITY OF WORK – NEATNESS, ETC.

• COMPLETED BY THE DESIGNATED TIME

______________________________

FMP Paper Airplane Contest

• 1 airplane per mentor group-chosen January 22

• Final competition is on January 29

Airplane Contest Rules

1.   Each contestant may enter only one airplane per category.

2.   The name of the winning student and teacher must appear on the airplane.

3.   Airplane must be made of one 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper only. 

4.   Glue and tape are allowed (but nothing else).

5.   Throwing is the only form of propulsion allowed.

6.   Entry must be an airplane (i.e., no Frisbees, parachutes, helicopters, “flat” sheet of paper, ball, etc.).

7.   Distance Contest: Each contestant will be allowed one flight. 

8.  Top 3 distances will compete in final throw to determine winner.

9.   Airplanes must satisfy the spirit of the contest and will be pre-inspected by the judges prior to the contest.

10. All decisions made by judges are final.

Thanks to Mrs. Hurst and Mrs. Love, Woodward High School, Dec. 2013

Peer Mentoring - Woodward FMP IV

                              Woodward High School Freshmen 

Mentoring Program (FMP), 

or a Friendly Meeting Place


Part IV



Although we have not published everything that we received, we think Woodward's "What If?" is also exemplary. Devise your own questions and answers.

What if??  

1. My locker is jammed?
1. Go to the attendance office. Refer to map for location.

2. I start feeling sick during the day?
1. Always check out through the attendance office.

3. I arrive late or need to leave early due to an illness?
1. Check in or out through the attendance office. A parent must sign you out.

4.   I will miss a day of school because my parents are going out of town?
1. Get pre-arranged absence sheet at attendance office and have teachers fill it out.

5. I lost my ID card?
1. Go to the counseling office. See Mrs. Hodges, the secretary. Cost, $5.

6. I need to speak to a principal?
1. Go to the attendance office and ask to see Mr. King.

7. I get a note to go the attendance office and see Mrs. Goodman?
1. Go to the attendance office. She is the secretary.

8. I need to see Mrs. Reavis?
1. Go to the front office. She is the secretary.

9. I am absent from school?
1. Have your parent or guardian call the school to excuse you.

10. I am being bullied?
1. See the freshman counselor in the office by the cafeteria.

11. I need to buy a student activity pass?
1. Go to the office on the west side of the commons area. Cost, $20.
2. Pep club member.  Cost, $5 to pep club sponsors.

12. I can’t afford to pay for lunch?
1. See Mrs. Reavis in front office for a free or reduced lunch form.

13. I think one of my books has been stolen?
1. Report it to teacher and remember you can put a lock on your locker. Be sure to give the combination to Mrs. Goodman in attendance office.

14. If lose something?
1. Go to the attendance office and see Mrs. Goodman.

15. I am sick and need my assignments so I can work at home?
1. Have your parent call the attendance office, and Mrs. Goodman will collect assignments for your parent to pick up shortly after school.

16. I am sick?
1. Tell your teacher, then go to restroom. 'Unexcused absence if you don’t tell teacher.

17. I think another student is using my locker?
1. Report it to Mr. King.

18. I had my cell phone taken away by a teacher?
1. The phone will be given to Mr. King, and he will return it and or file discipline as needed.

19. I need to call home for an emergency?

    a. Go to attendance office or front office and use the phone there.

     

Thanks to Mrs. Hurst and Mrs. Love for their creativity!

Peer Mentoring - Woodward FMP III

Woodward High School Freshmen 

Mentoring Program (FMP), 

or a Friendly Meeting Place


Part III

Although we have not published everything that we received, we think Woodward's peer mentor outline and expectations are exemplary.

"Freshmen Mentoring"

OBJECTIVE

To provide every 9^th grade student with a personal mentor and advocate to help him/her personalize the educational experience.

GOALS

     1.  Assist freshmen in the adjustment to high school

           * Question and answer sessions

           * Getting to know you activities

           * High School transition activities

     2.  Develop the mentor/freshman relationship so freshmen see mentors as an additional resource

     3.   Develop a connection to the traditions of WHS

     4.   Assist students in improving/maintaining grades

           *Study skills

     5.  Ensure a successful high school experience for all freshmen students

"Expectations for Boomer Mentors"

1.     Lead Freshmen Mentor Activities.

2.     Develop a strong rapport with Freshmen in your mentor group.

3.     Demonstrate a strong sense of pride, tradition, and school spirit.

4.     Attend all Freshmen Mentor training sessions.

5.     Listen to announcements for special meetings.

6.     Attendance is mandatory for all Freshmen Mentor Wednesday sessions. Remember you are the leader in charge!!

7.     You must follow the schedule and all competitions are mandatory.

8.     Maintain a positive attitude about Woodward High and the mentoring program.

9.    Check with your mentor teacher for handouts and updates. Contact your mentor teacher if you have questions.

10.  Facilitating teachers - Mrs. Love, Rm. 107;  Mrs. Hurst, Rm. 201

Suggestions for Advisory

    Mentors MUST take a leadership role/ownership of the advisory group.

   Sessions should be a fun and enjoyable experience.

   You may provide small treats and candy, etc.

   Avoid a lecture method of presenting information.

Again thanks to Mrs. Hurst for sharing, Dec. 2013.

Peer Mentoring - Woodward's FMP II

Woodward High School Freshmen Mentoring Program (FMP), or a Friendly Meeting Place 

Part II


Adapt these ideas for your own program.

Excerpts from the FMP spring semester 2014

Reminders for mentors

• Be prepared!

• Follow your lesson plan by beginning each session with an icebreaker!

• Make sure everyone is involved!

• Activities are mandatory!

• Be excited about activities--enthusiasm is contagious!

Schedule (Games begin most of these sessions.)

• Jan. 18 - Welcome back/ grades/ exemptions

• Jan. 22 - Paper air plane contest in small groups (rules)

Create paper air planes and have a contest to pick your group's winning plane to be entered into competition.

Turn in winning planes to Mrs. Hurst with name of winning student and teacher clearly written on it at the end of mentoring today.

• Jan. 29 - Air plane contest, "Plane Off" - whole group competition (practice gym)

• Feb. 5 - Motivational video - "Touching Them All" (YouTube), view and discuss

• Feb. 12 - Valentine's Day activities 

Plan a Valentine's themed game. Make Valentines . View a video on the history of Valentine's Day.

• Feb. 19 - Next week is the final mentoring session/enrollment

Plan a game of your choice. Plan for a final party. 

Discuss enrollment for next year. 

Discuss Career Tech, concurrent enrollment, Advanced Placement (AP) classes.

• Feb. 26 - Final session!

Saying goodbye! 

Exchange with your group, for example, a favorite quote or an inspiring story.

• March 5 - Mentors only meet for a party as a thank you and provide feedback on this year's mentoring sessions. 

Making posters

"Expectations for Boomer Mentors" are in the next post as an adaptable model.

Again thanks to Woodward High School's Anjanette Laverty and Tacy Hurst, Dec. 2013

Peer Mentoring - Woodward's FMP I

Woodward High School Freshmen Mentoring Program (FMP), or a Friendly Meeting Place

This peer/group mentoring model uses upperclassmen to mentor freshmen. Juniors and seniors meet with assigned small groups of freshmen in classrooms each Wednesday for 20 minutes to provide them with information that will help make a more successful transition to high school. Student mentors, who must apply and, if accepted, surrender part of their lunch and serve as role models and guides to high school life all year. 

Topics vary along with some small and large group activities, e.g., pep rallies, being competitive with the upperclassmen, community service, bullying, campus involvement, grades, motivation, and others. In 2013-14, 28 mentors and 14 faculty members focused upon approximately 200 current freshmen.

Lunch Plus Once a week, Wednesday, upperclassmen mentor freshman at the beginning of lunch, which has extra time built in for club meetings and other activities. Two to three upperclassmen and one teacher meet with twenty freshmen to discuss goals, activities, advice, etc., to integrate them into the school. Upperclassmen must apply to be mentors and volunteer to surrender part of their lunch each week. Assigned teachers also surrender part of their lunch time.

Mentor - mentee scavenger hunt

First Four Weeks of Academic Year
During the first four weeks of school, all the freshmen meet weekly in the auditorium with Ms. Anjanette Laverty, the counselor. Highly organized with topics for 200 freshmen, these meetings give Laverty the opportunity to make a connection with the students. 

The first week is an introduction to the school, answering questions, making homecoming decorations with help of the upperclassmen, etc. Also during this four-week period, teachers train the selected upperclassmen, juniors and seniors, to mentor.

Grouping 
At Woodward, the entire freshman class is divided into groups so that each group has a specific classroom and teacher. Specific upper class mentors will also be assigned to each class for the rest of the school year.

Fifth Week - Into the Classroom
For the fifth week, underclassmen receive an invitation to go to a classroom. Once in the assigned classroom mentors teach them about pep rallies, being competitive with sophomores, juniors and seniors, and the school song. Other weeks of the mentoring curriculum focus upon community service, bullying, future goals, honoring the military, positive thinking, and other relevant topics. Group activities are also scheduled, e.g., making and flying paper airplanes. The airplane that goes the farthest gets a cookie party for his/her class. 

Applications and Training
Mentors submit applications at the end of each school year for the next and attend two-three training sessions throughout the year. Teachers volunteer to serve as mentor teacher for the groups as well. 

Assessment, Change,and Quality
The sponsors change or modify the activities each year to improve and provide a quality program.

Excerpts from the FMP Manual

What if? (Questions with answers, e.g., "I lost my ID card?")

List and descriptions of WHS clubs and organizations

Schedule of events with information

• Session I - Introductions, "What if?", and football homecoming

Begin to learn names!

• Session II - Boomer Olympics (group activity)

Greet group members. In the spirit of homecoming, each group needs to come up with 

three games to play with their group. 'Tug-of-war, ball tosses, etc. Ask another group to 

participate in friendly competition. Bring needed game items.

• Session III - Exemption policy/importance of good grades/clubs and involvement

• Session IV - Motivational video 

Ashton Kucher (speech at Teen Choice Awards)

Activity to find and discuss three lessons from it

• Session V - Bucket lists - plans/dreams for the future

Have each freshman create a list of things he or she would like to achieve in life.

Have individuals share at lest one of their items and discuss.

• Session VI - Honoring members of our military

Using the teacher's Smart Board, play the video about the dedication of our service members. 

http://youtu.be/ozl9Gz8WivI  (This Toby Keith video from 2010 was used, but YouTube has many incredible videos about our military.)

Discuss the video. Include how important service is, if anyone is thinking about joining the military, if anyone has a family member or friend currently serving or having recently served, etc.

Letter writing and collecting items to be sent to service men and women on Nov. 6th 

• Session VII - Group competition - scavenger hunt challenge 

• Session VIII - Letters to our troops and begin collection of items to send

• Session IX - The Power of Positive Thinking

Power of positive thinking exercise- 

How-to

Tie a paperclip to the end of a string.

Hold it in front of the group. 

Have students think silently left, right, left, right as they watch the paper clip. 

The clip should start to sway back and forth. 

Use this to discuss the power of positive thinking and how having a positive attitude toward things can change our lives. 

Look up quotes to share and/or provide everyone with a paperclip as a reminder to hold on to positive thoughts.

• Session X - Review study skills and plan for Christmas Door Decoration 

Discuss test-taking skills. 

Share ways you study that would be helpful. (resource section)

   

Review rules for the FMP Christmas Door Decorating Contest and begin planning (resource section). 

Next week have items for the contest. You can ask freshmen to bring items.

• Session XI - Door decorations

Make sure everyone has a part in the plan and decorating.

Points will be given for including everyone in the decorating.

• Session 13 - Christmas fun - greetings, games, singing, etc. 

Thanks to Woodward High School's Anjanette Laverty, counselor, and Tacy Hurst, English teacher, for sharing in December 2013.

More in the next post!

Pryor's The Leader in Me Program, etc.

Don Raleigh, superintendent of Pryor Public Schools, shared two mentoring programs his school district uses.

One program is teaching leadership skills to elementary students through The Leader in Me program, developed from Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Pryor High School leaders teach the program, thus reinforcing the habits in themselves. The schools support the program in multiple ways. See below.


The secondary form is Walking Wednesdays, which provides the opportunity for high school students and their advisors to walk to school with elementary students. Each of the three elementary schools has a designated meeting place for parents to drop off their students. High school leaders, trained in pedestrian safety, teach the younger children. This activity also promotes exercise and fellowship.

References are at the bottom.

http://www.theleaderinme.org/

http://www.pryordailytimes.com/local/x1633440654/Pryor-s-success-with-The-Leader-in-Me  

Ret. 5-30-14

http://www.pryordailytimes.com/local/x134972969/Pryor-organizes-a-walk-to-school  

Ret. 5-30-14