Thursday, December 3, 2009

Mentorship Program

The Waverly Junior High OISM/curriculum team has recently developed and begun implementation of a "new" mentorship program for at-risk students.  WJH teachers and staff have served as mentors for students with significant behavior and/or academic issues for the past two years.  This year, however, our mentorship program is utilizing the PAWS student group from Waverly High School, in conjunction with teacher and staff support.

PAWS is an acronym for “People Assisting Waverly Students”. Their motto is: "Trust Us; We Care!”   PAWS members are:
  • Trained in peer counseling and are available to listen to any problem a fellow student may have.
  • Ready to contact advisors when the problem or concerns harm or are a life threatening situation to the individual or another person.
  • Available to listen but not give advice.
  • Trained to maintain confidentiality at all times, except in life threatening situations.
  • Responsible for creating an awareness of alternatives to problems other than turning to drugs or alcohol.
PAWS members were matched with at-risk Junior High students, and began meeting with their students this week.  All stakeholders in this activity (PAWS members, staff, administration) are excited about the positive effects and benefits these partnerships will create academically, socially, and behaviorally in the lives of our children.

The curriculum team would like to thank the following individuals for their assistance with the mentorship program:
  • Mrs. Brenda Walls - PAWS advisor
  • Mr. Bill Hoover - Waverly High School Principal
  • Mrs. Melissa Marquez - Waverly Junior High Principal
  • Mrs. Dee Long - Guidance Counselor
  • Mr. Byron Green - Discipline data
  • Mrs. Cindy Houk - Academic data
  • WJH teachers and staff
  • and last, but not least, the generous and compassionate PAWS students who are volunteering to make a difference in the lives of their peers.

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