"School and Community Working Together to Achieve Excellence!"

Questions and Answers About the Mt. Woodson Mentoring Program

What is the Mt. Woodson Mentoring Program? The Mt. Woodson Mentoring Program is an opportunity for caring adults and older youth from the local community to help students achieve success in school and enhance their lives.

WHO ARE MENTORS? Mentors are men, women, and older teens from our local community who care about young people, want to help them succeed, and are willing to be trained to work with a child. The people who accepted as mentors are: secure, reliable, confident, flexible, patient, tolerant, mature, outgoing, warm & caring, and... They are genuinely interested in helping our young people of today.

WHAT IS A MENTORS ROLE? After a screening and brief training by Mt. Woodson personnel, mentors assume the role of being a students friend and helper. They meet informally with a student to build a meaningful relationship and strengthen social and school related skills. The mentoring relationship also targets enhancing student self-esteem.

HOW OFTEN DO MENTORS MEET WITH THE STUDENTS? The mentors meet their student for approximately 1/2 hour per week during the school year. Specific times during campus hours will be arranged on an individual basis to meet the needs of the Mentor and student.

WHERE DO MENTORS MEET WITH STUDENTS? Mentors will meet with the students in the campus in a prearranged place.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE FAMILY IN THE STUDENT MENTORING PROJECT?
The school and the mentor must have the family's permission before the student can be involved in the program. The mentor program coordinator acts as a liaison between families and mentors.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THE STUDENTS? Students are expected to be respectful, courteous, cooperative, and reliable. They must be willing to work with the mentor.

YOUTH WHO HAVE HAD A MENTOR SAY THE EXPERIENCE HELPED THEM TO:

*identify school as a positive experience
*improve their grades
*avoid drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
*enhance their self-esteem
*increase their regard for people of all races
*improve their relationships with teachers and friends
*learn to succeed
*feel special because someone cares
*choose a career path

Note: All mentor candidates must complete an application and be in compliance with District policy regarding volunteers.

Breanna Jordison, Student Mentoring Program Assistant

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