Peer-Mentoring Program will Ease Transition into High School (5/20/09)

LEAP sixth grade students making the transition from elementary school to high school this fall can expect to have an easier time adjusting to the change thanks to a new school initiative called the Peer Mentoring Program.  

The initiative, developed by the LEAP Parents Council, groups 60 students in LEAP’s sixth grade class with 15 high school students in order to prepare them for the move to 7th grade and the High School in September.  Each Peer Mentor Group (PMG) will include four sixth graders and one high school peer mentor from the ninth or tenth grade. 

“We’re very excited about this program and I’m very pleased with the caliber of our peer mentor students,” said Carmen Rivera, Coordinator for the LEAP Parents Council and member of the PMG Committee.  Other committee members include Vanessa Jones (Board Parent Representative and Chair of the LEAP Parents Council), Elsica Gonzalez (Pre College Office), Shannon Corke (6th Grade Teacher), Angela Mollett (7th Grade Teacher), and Gladys Robreno (School counselor). 

The program was created after several students and parents expressed interest in helping students transition from the Elementary School to the High School following sixth grade.  “The committee organized activities to help sixth graders, but the core is mentoring and we picked the best and brightest ninth and tenth grade students to be peer mentors,” Carmen said. 

The program kicked off on May 19th with a meet-and-greet session at LEAP Elementary when the 15 PMG’s met with sixth graders and enjoyed some pizza, refreshments, and several ‘break-the-ice’ activities.  By the end of the session each sixth grader had chosen a high school peer mentor that they will continue to work with through the summer. 

This was just the first of several events for the program.  In June each sixth grader will spend a day at LEAP High School with their chosen peer mentor, touring the school, meeting teachers, and learning what it is like to be in high school.  Following that, a combined volleyball and basketball event for students and an orientation and breakfast for parents will familiarize sixth graders with their future teachers and classmates. 

“We expect this program to grow and become a turn-key program, where these sixth graders will become peer mentors to future sixth graders,” said Carmen. 

UPCOMING PEER MENTOR EVENTS:

• PMG Week at the High School                                   Mon. 6/1 – Thu. 6/4
• Volleyball & Basketball Games                                  Wed. 6/17 (1:00pm)
• 6th Grade Parent Orientation & Breakfast                Sat. 6/20 (8:00am – 12pm)