PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION

Your student has been selected to participate in the Mentor Canes program. This program was established to provide an extra, supportive person to a student. This person is an additional adult who can work with a student to guide him/her on the road to academic and personal success. The program is a friendship-based, in-school mentoring program which will offer extra encouragement to your young person. The goal of the program is to instill pride and the belief that any person can succeed in any endeavor in life. We like to think of mentors as being an extra “cheerleader” for your student. Mentors may read, play games, eat lunch, share hobbies, talk and share friendships with students

The mentor will spend approximately 1 hour per week with your student in the school setting. The time the mentor will meet with your student will be arranged by the school counselor. Your student will not be taken off school grounds. The mentor will act as a friend, listener, a role model and possibly as a tutor. Contact with your student outside of school is not part of the Mentor Canes program.

This is a school-based mentoring program and any activity outside of the school with your student’s mentor would not be considered an activity of the Mentor Canes program.

Mentors are not asked to provide gifts or monetary support to their mentees. Please instruct your student about this. Mentors are volunteers who are giving their most valuable asset to your student, their time.

Mentors are granted PowerSchool access to your student’s information in order to view attendance and grades. If you choose, you may invite the mentor to be included in reviewing your student’s school progress during scheduled parent visitation day. This is not required.

If you have any questions or concerns about the program at any time, please contact the school and talk with the school counselor or your student’s teacher.

The following are policies of the mentor program that you as a parent or guardian are asked to follow:

• Please ask your student about the mentor/mentee activities. The purpose is to open up lines of communication between the parent and student.

• Please inform your student’s teacher of any rules or restrictions regarding your student.

• The mentoring program will be conducted at school.

• The mentor will spend approximately 1 hour per week with your student. Mentors will work with the school counselor if there is a change in this procedure.

• The mentor is not to indulge your student with gifts, candy or other treats. The most important gift that the mentor can give is his/her TIME. Please instruct your student not to ask for gifts. (If the mentor does choose to give a gift from time-to-time, it should not be expected, and please remind your student to express their thanks

• The purpose of the mentor program is to provide your student the opportunity to develop an additional supportive relationship with an adult who is also a friend.

• If you have questions or concerns about the program, contact your student’s counselor.

The dictionary defines "mentor" as a wise and trusted counselor and teacher. Adult mentors are volunteers from the community to provide support and guidance to help students achieve academic, personal and occupational success. 

How is a mentor selected? 

Role models and interested citizens from local businesses, organizations, and neighborhoods volunteer to participate with the mentoring program. These volunteers are trained, screened with a criminal background and reference checks, and have chosen the school and age of the student they would like to serve. The mentors selected are matched with students who could benefit from a particular mentor’s life experience, interests, and qualifications.

What will the mentor do with my student?

The mentor will meet with your son or daughter in school at a scheduled time during the school day. They will meet approximately 1 hour per week. While together, the two may read, talk, study, eat lunch, play board games or outdoor games, or just be friends. The mentor may also help your student with class assignments, personal goals and career or college choices.

How are students selected to have a mentor?

Most students benefit from a one on one adult interaction and can use extra time for friendship and encouragement. Fortunately, we have many people in our community who want to get involved with students to provide this extra support and encouragement. Our goal is to provide each student in our school system with the opportunity to have a mentor.

Who can request a mentor for a student?

Students, parents, teachers, and school administrators.

How long will my student have a mentor?

The mentor will be meeting with your student throughout the school year and will continue for subsequent years, if possible, unless you notify us that you are removing your student from the mentoring program.

There is much you can do to provide support for your student to make the mentor-student relationship a successful one. Simply showing support and a genuine interest in the new mentor friendship will enable your student to benefit from this program. This can be done by encouraging your student to attend scheduled mentor meetings, asking questions about their activities and backing his/her commitments to meet goals set with the mentor. You may wish to talk or meet with your student’s mentor early in the school year.

Who can I contact if I have questions or problems?

The principal, counselor or Program Coordinator will be glad to help you with any questions you have concerning your student or mentor.

Please complete, sign and return the attached Letter of Consent if you want your student to participate in the Mentor Canes program. Without this consent, your student will not be assigned to a mentor.