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“Have No Fear, Your Mentor is Here!” Planning and Executing a Successful Freshman Orientation Day with Student Mentors. Presented by: Lori Wallace, Freshman Academy Coordinator Mitzi Quinn, Student Mentor Advisor Bastrop High School April 25, 2008.
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“Have No Fear, Your Mentor is Here!”Planning and Executing a Successful Freshman Orientation Day with Student Mentors Presented by: Lori Wallace, Freshman Academy Coordinator Mitzi Quinn, Student Mentor Advisor Bastrop High School April 25, 2008
Application, Selection, and Training of Student Mentors • Applications for student mentors are completed and turned in by April (hand-out of application) • Mentor training in July • Planning day in August to make signs and prepare for Kick Start Day
Gearing Up for Kick Start Day • Flyers with date and time passed out at feeder schools in May to all incoming freshmen • Information published in local paper one week before the event • Held the week before the official start of school from 2:00-5:00
Ram Kick Start Day Procedures • Parents drop off students before 2:00 outside the gym • Mentors stand outside with signs and balloons to welcome incoming freshmen • Students are given a handout with group numbers, names in each group and mentor information (see example) and an agenda • Students are ushered into the gym
Ram Kick Start Day Activities • Administrators, freshman academy staff, and mentors are introduced • Cheerleaders, Star Steppers, and Pep Squad put on a welcome Pep Rally • Students break into six areas (5 groups in each area) for break out sessions – Mentors move to each group with 10 minutes in each session to cover the break-out topics
Break Out Bonanza • Time Management: How to use planners • Expectations: Dress code, Time Out, Detention, IDs, Consequences for Violating Rules • Attendance: Tardy Policy, Check-in/Check-out, Consequences • Getting Involved at BHS: Extra-curricular activities, Homecoming applications, Clubs, Sports • Accountability: GEE, Grades, Graduation Requirements, Carnegie Units, Grade Point Averages (4.0 GPA now), NCAA Clearinghouse • Stress Management: Counselors, Where to go with questions
After Break Out Sessions • Mentors gather their groups • Mentors pass out note cards with locker numbers and combinations to each student • Each mentor takes their group of 10 on a comprehensive tour of the school • Mentors instruct students on how to open lockers
Following Up with Freshman • Mentors keep a log for the school year • Mentors are responsible for making contact with their students AT LEAST once a month Examples: Mentors send positive notes of encouragement, some gave their students on honor roll a certificate and McDonald’s gift cards, etc.
Contact Information Cynthia Atlas Principal (318)281-0194 catlas@mpsb.us Lori Wallace Freshman Academy Coordinator (318) 281-0194 lwallace@mpsb.us Mitzi Quinn Student Mentor Advisor (318) 281-0194 mquinn@mpsb.us