Summary Paragraph: Things you can learn when you listen.
I was walking out in Ward 6 today, trying to squeeze in between the Patriots and the Red Sox (Go Sox); I was surprised and pleased by the welcome I received, and the general level of information people have about the Schools. Many different issues were raised; one in particular seemed so easy to accomplish that I promised the resident I would post it on line tonight, and push for the administration to make it happen this holiday season.
I spoke with a Mom, who's had three kids go through the high school and go onto residential colleges. She felt the high school did a great job getting them into college, but that they were genuinely unprepared for "freshman shock;" the freedom, the need to step out and make friends, the multi-cultural experience they are exposed to.
When we talked about how we could better prepare the HS students, we came up with two ideas. The first was to use some of the existing health classes to talk about establishing friendships, and how to meet people. The second idea was to have recent alumni who have come back into the area for vacation- Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hannukah, February- and give a "workshop" for parents and seniors about their own personal experiences during their first semester in college.
Thanks for these suggestions. With so much effort going on to smooth the transitions between the different schools, this makes perfect sense.
1 comment:
What great ideas!
Another possibility to consider: create a mentoring program by asking the college students (they could be freshman and beyond)to volunteer to mentor a high school senior.
Mentoring is very popular in all types of settings. For example, it is common for professional schools to set up mentoring programs for their students to assist the students in their transition from school to the professional world they will enter upon graduation. These programs are voluntary, as should any mentoring program for high school students.
High school seniors who sign up for a mentor would be matched up with a college student based on many factors (based on a questionnaire filled out by the high school and college students). More than one high school student could be mentored by a college student (college students would indicate on the questionnaire they completed the number of students they would be willing to mentor). A teacher would work with high school student volunteers to match up the mentors and the mentees.
While certain guidelines should be established, each mentor and mentee would determine how often to communicate. An initial mentor/mentee event could be set up as part of the "workshop" held each winter holiday.
The nature of the program would evolve as it grows. The main thing is--the kids who are living through the challenges of their post-high school experience are in the best position to guide those about to begin this new chapter of their lives.
Maybe this type of mentoring goes on informally for some kids--but at least this type of formal program would provide all of the high school seniors who want to take advantage of it with an opportunity to get the scoop, while giving the college students an opportunity to give something back to their peers who will be following in their footsteps.
Everyone involved would gain something valuable--and it won't cost the community another dime! Wow!
SV
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