The Barstow Pillars volunteer mentors are preparing to begin or renew regular weekly visits with students at school. This will be the fourth year of the program, and we have nine active mentors ready for a fun-filled year.
Though mentors meet for a mere 45-60 minutes, all around the lunch/recess schedule, available space is hard to come by. Between offerings of a library corner, a voluntarily vacant classroom, and the possibly unused art, reading, or office space, we should be able to work out schedules for all mentor pairs and possibly a new one or two.
Mentors come in prepared to read or chat through a brief lunch time, and plan an activity to enjoy for the brief recess time (which is occasionally approved to extend for an extra 10-15 minutes). Activities might be a game, outdoor walk, craft, Lego project, or conversation. Our experience reveals dramatic growth of self-confidence for some of our extended relationships. A longer commitment, year after year, usually allows for the development of a safe relationship that is built on friendship, support, and encouragement. All of these things go a long way for a student whose school days have been filled with challenge. A mentor can add a moment of positive interaction that can bolster a sense of belonging or provide incentive to engage in learning.
Parents who believe their child might benefit from such a relationship should contact the school guidance office. Mentoring is independent of guidance, but without our own office presence, a guidance-enabled contact works well for the program.
Thanks to all who supported mentoring by participating in the field day Duck Race last spring. We now have funds to support our occasional after-school events, such as cookie baking, hiking, or ice-cream making.
