Mentor Coordinator Report
Stories & Quotes To Share:
Investment beyond measure: For the 12 seniors I know with mentors, the countdown is on, caps and gowns delivered, and the anticipation continues to build as we approach graduation on June 6th. All 12 students met with mentors through four years of high school, 8 of the relationships began in middle school, and 3 date back to 6th grade! I don’t even have words for the magnitude of the investment by these mentors and their impact. What a pleasure to see the relationships strengthen, students mature and grow as individuals, and develop their post high school plans. All pairs plan to keep in touch after graduation. While talking with one senior last week, I asked: “What will you miss about being in high school—if anything?” Without hesitation, she replied: “I’ll miss seeing my mentor every week. It’s definitely been the best part of high school for me.”
Reunited and it feels so good! This fall a 9th grade student reconnected with her middle school mentor after summer break. After meeting a few times, she told me she didn’t want to continue for a variety of personal reasons—nothing to do with the mentor. We decided to pause the relationship, take a little break, and re-evaluate in a few weeks. At that time, the student wanted to close out the relationship. The mentor felt sad, thinking they were parting ways for good, but handled it gracefully and kept the door open for the future. Three months later, the student came back to me and asked if there was any chance she could meet with her mentor again. Things had settled down a bit for her and she missed seeing that supportive adult regularly. Fortunately, the mentor returned, they had a joyous reunion, and now light up when they see each other every week. The mentor feels glad to be in her life again, and I’m so grateful she was willing to take the risk and go at the student’s pace.
Winning Designs! This year we offered a competition open to all LHS students to create a 3 x 3 decal representing Be the One. Judges selected original designs by Aali and Hanako . We ordered their design decals and will be able to distribute them before the end of the year. Everyone enjoyed their talent, creativity and vision. Thanks to all contestants!
Highlights:
• Interviews of mentees by Partners for Schools Board members
• Decal design contest
• Saturday Academic Support on April 19th: BTO served breakfast
• 72 matches
Upcoming:
• Celebration Boat trip May 22
• Final Mentor meetings of the year by May 30th
• Graduation June 6: 12 BTO seniors graduating
• Mentor/Mentee end of year surveys and final report
Number of Current Matches: 72
Submitted by Lisa Reynolds – deborah@partnersforschools.org