November hike

The Barstow Pillars will hold its first group after-school event for mentors and mentees on November 30. Though the program is primarily focused on one-to-one meeting times, an occasional group event is a fun way to share the experience. We will meet in the cafeteria at dismissal time, then hike the nature trail by the outdoor classroom. Upon our return, we will gather again in the cafeteria for hot chocolate and a snack before rides come at 4:30.

In the event of heavy rain, we will stay indoors with some fun board games to enjoy together.

resiliency assets

You may or may not be familiar with the list of resiliency assets that was developed by the Search Institute. They are meant to act as a guide for the development of caring, healthy, and responsible individuals. These are posted around the school as part of Red Ribbon Week, and they are a useful reminder of all the different ingredients that contribute to a young person's sense of belonging.

We all rely on more than our families to achieve a sense of self. Our schools may not have used such inventories of specific activities when we were in school, but we all were impacted by relationships we found in extended families, sports, extra-curricular activities, church, school and more. These are the relationships that allow us to grow in areas in which our parents may be less equipped as guides. And it is the opportunity to find others who enjoy life on the same terms as we do that helps us grow in security and confidence.

Mentoring programs believe in the benefit of strong relationships outside of the family sphere - ones that are friendship based. Mentors are not teachers, tutors, or substitute parents. Mentors are friends who support, encourage, and simply enjoy
their mentee. Now that's an asset built for two!

anytime at all

The first training meeting has come and gone, but we are always looking for new mentors who can start at any time after background clearance and a short one-on-one training. There is a list of students who would benefit from the relationship with a mentor, and you are welcome to refer community members you may know.

Last year, some of the highlighted experiences for mentors included:
- mentee changed from head-down to head-up demeanor, at meetings and beyond
- mentee was excited to proudly introduce his mentor to classmates
- mentee moved from invisible quietude to being participatory
- mentee counted on the ears of her mentor to listen to the stories of
things that made her anxious

And everyone enjoyed the group activities for all mentors and mentees. There are likely going to be three or four after-school events throughout the school year.

oh, it's training time again...

We are gearing up for a training on October 5 at the school. New mentors who have expressed a strong interest in the program will spend an hour going over some simple guidelines as presented by a representative from the Mentor Connector of Rutland. It is good for us to have a framework of expectations and to come together as a community of mentors as we embark on these new relationships.

If you know of a community member, who is not a parent of a current student, who would like to attend the training before making a commitment, please ask him or her to call me,Anne Gallivan, at 483-2854. I welcome all inquiries.

healthy rhythms

Who can argue the delight of unstructured summer days? I had my share of them, and love the feeling of going with the flow of mother nature. I wake up to a clear sunny day and decide to take to a hiking trail, but on another morning I wake to the rhythmic patter of rain and decide to read another chapter or two before even stirring from my bed.

But the weather is changing, and so are my needs. I suddenly crave the reintroduction of routines after all of my varied summer adventures! I think that many students feel the same way when the first day of school arrives, and they are excited to enjoy the structures of a productive school day.

Irene made this year's start even more welcome for some students who experienced the novelty of being cut off from neighboring towns and the rhythms of their lives' comings and goings from home. When they made the effort to traipse through long trails in the woods to meet a ride to school, they did so with an eagerness to join in the rituals of back-to-school routines, and were proud to have expended such effort to do so.

Mentoring thrives on rhythm as well - the predictability of a supportive relationship where an adult commits to showing up with the sole purpose of spending time with their student "match." It is the rhythm of this act that helps to make it so successful. Once a week there is a dedicated time for a special visit that focuses on friendship, and it is an amazingly powerful dynamic for both mentor and mentee. Please support Barstow mentoring when the opportunity arises, as it is an important ingredient to our healthy school community.

Duck Race debut!

The Barstow Pillars program is not expensive, but it does require some monetary support. In order to fund another year of quality mentoring, and to add new students and mentors to the program, we are going to have a race of rubber duckies that are sponsored by students and community members racing for a summer entertainment prize. Community sponsors are making a donation with a chance to win a prize that will help them entertain young relatives or friends this summer. Students will do the same, and also have the opportunity to watch the rubber duckies ride the current of East Creek behind the school on Field Day.

Having watched a test run of ducks, the races will be short, and the results unpredictable. Ducks that ride the central current have a ver ydifferent trip than those that get pulled into churning currents or side traps on the river's edge, and this what will make it fun -rubber duckie survivor challenge!

Watch for information on the PTO listserv or in your child's backpack, and support mentoring today!

continuity

The school-based mentor program asks volunteers to make a minimum of a one year
commitment. The hope is that this one year commitment will grow to a multi-year commitment that sees the student through their 8th grade year. In some situations, it may be possible for those relationships to carry on to high school by transitioning to a community-based relationship. This would require a new background check that includes driver records and allows independent meetings wherever the pair decides to meet. The Mentor Connector would provide the umbrella insurance to cover this arrangement, and the time can be spent attending events, going out for a meal, attending a performance, and more.

A longer relationship translates to a more meaningful impact.

April Foolishness

I'm only talking about the weather, as mentoring has not been the slightest bit foolish - at least not that I am aware of. March brought another chance for the Barstow Pillars matches (that is the word we use for mentors and mentees) to work together as a group. We asked for permission to use the school kitchen for a baking activity on a Monday afternoon. The school gave us the okay, and the kitchen staff were eager and welcoming in supporting this event.

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, a recipe for Irish Oatmeal cookies led everyone through the steps of measuring and mixing ingredients before baking the dough into some tasty and healthy treats. The experience was new to some of the kids, and the final result was rewarding. I think everyone took a large container of cookies home, and shared at least some of the cookies with their homeroom class the next day.

The impact of mentoring is mostly in the development of a warm, supportive, and encouraging relationship one-on-one with a student, but coming together offers a great social opportunity with different ages and good fun for all.

National Mentoring Month!

January is a time for thanks to be shared by all.

The Mentor Bowl is a celebration that allows mentoring pairs to come together from around the county to enjoy some bowling and raise some money for the umbrella organization - the Mentor Connector in Rutland. The event not only features team bowling, but also adds other festivity such as fun, food, and prizes.

Saturday, January 29th will be a great time for folks to celebrate their mentoring pals!