Transition to High School:Upperclassmen Leading the Way

Presented by:

Dolores Fischer FMP Coordinator

andFMP Student Mentors

Freshman Mentor Program

Mentoring - “The Act of Giving”

F M P“Our Friendly Meeting Place”

Mentoring “The Act of Giving”

The FMP Student Mentor is giving each freshman:

“A gift of knowledge”“A gift of friendship”

“A gift of experience”

A TRIBUTE TO OURFMP STUDENT MENTORS

“If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” - From “The Wo rld According to Mr. Rodgers”

WHAT IS FMP????

The freshman mentor program provides each freshman with a supportive environment that allows a smooth adjustment from junior high to high school, both academically and socially.

Advisory that meets 4 days a week On-going orientation to high school A comfortable environment to grow in high

school Counselors monitor each freshman's academic

progress Constant announcements of school activities Academic Resources through faculty advisor,

FMP’s, and subject study groups.

FMP provides each freshman with:

History of FMP

1990-91 - Pilot Homeroom Freshman Advisory with two teachers.

1991-92 - Expand Advisory to more teachers

1992-94 - Continue Homeroom program to see the lasting affects of FMP

February -1994 visit Highland Park High School’s APF program

March -1994 - Proposal for Freshman Mentor Program to Board of Ed using Highland Park model to include student mentors

1994-95 - Pilot FMP Advisories with students

1995-96 - Expand FMP to the whole freshman class

1996-97 - Implement Freshman Orientation Day

1997-98 - We decide to pilot 6 advisories with 3 student mentors in each, rather than two.

1998-99 - Expand Program to include more FMP’s and advisories

1999 - 2000 - Introduced Board of Directors to help maintain control over the growing program

2000 -2001 – Expand all advisories to 3 FMP’s in each

2001-2002 – Pilot 4 to 5 FMP’s within each advisory

2002-Present – Improve FMP to Freshman ratio, eventually growing to over 240 FMP’s strong.

FMP Faculty Leaders

DIRECTOR OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES

FMP DIRECTOR

Three FMP coordinators observe, evaluate, and monitor advisory activities

FMP Student Leaders

FMP ADVISORY LEADERS

FMP EXECUTIVE BOARD

TWO PRESIDENTS VICE PRESIDENTS

Board of Directors

Leaders that organize FMP

events

3 FMP Mentors

Advisory team

* = Dean and social Worker meet their freshmen on Orientation day.

COUNSELOR, DEAN*, SOCIAL WORKER*

FACULTY ADVISOR

STUDENT MENTORS (3-4)

Advisory Team

Student Mentor

Faculty Advisor

Counselor

Advisory Team

The Faculty Advisor:• Provides leadership coaching for

Student Mentors• Supervises advisory

(satisfies contract for supervision)

• Helps organize/participate in activities• Performs administrative duties• Provides a resource for all students

Advisory Team

The Guidance Counselor:• Provides an opportunity to develop a

rapport with their freshman • Talks about necessary topics with

students as a group• Allows time to answer questions for

students

A Week In Advisory

Monday - Small Group Day Tuesday -

Meet with your counselor Wednesday -

Homework/Study Day Thursday - Activity Day

Special Events

August - • Freshman Orientation• Freshman dance• Guidebook Test • Co-curricular Education

September -• ~“Becoming A Patriot”~

Superintendent speaks to freshman• Introduction to technology

October -• Homecoming• Discuss earning privileges at

Stevenson November -

• Principal Visits• Career Cruising

December -• “The Giving Month”

January - • Preparing For Finals• Registering for classes - four year

plan February -

• Pre-Driving program with police• Odyssey

March• Co-curricular Fair

April -• World of Difference

May- • 8th grade dance• 8th grade transition program• Advisory Awards Day

FMP provides each freshman with:

A comprehensive transition program during their 8th grade year which includes:• Parents and future freshmen come to

Stevenson for Registration - February• Co-curricular fair - March• Meeting with FMP student advisors at

junior high schools - May• Freshman Orientation day - August

Co-Curricular Fair

In march, The Stevenson Student Activities invites parents and our future freshman to learn about Stevenson’s clubs(over 100) Intramurals, and Sports Teams.

Spring Eighth Grade Transition Program

FMPs go to Jr. High Schools In small groups FMPs talk to their

future freshmen about Stevenson High School’s: AcademicsCo- Curricular OpportunitiesSocial AspectsSupport ServicesFreshman Orientation day

FRESHMAN ORIENTATION DAY

The day before the “official first day of school”.

Two FMPs ride each school bus and greet freshmen at each bus stop(56 bus routes)

FMPs escort students to the Sports Center to pick up their schedule and direct them to

their advisory classroom.

FRESHMAN ORIENTATION SCHEDULE

7:30 A.M. - 8:00 A.M - Receive class schedule, locker card,and ID (if taken in summer school) in the sports center. Freshmen then report to their Advisory.

8:00 A.M. - 10:15 A.M. - Advisory Activities, ID/Yearbook Pictures, Tours of the school in small groups with the FMP’s. Visit key places in school (i.e. lockers, gyms, lunchrooms, etc.).

10:15 A.M. - 11:15 A.M. - Welcome Assembly

11:30 A.M. - 12:30 P. M. - Meet with Dean, Counselor and Social Worker

12:30 P.M. - 1:30 P.M. - Lunch

1: 30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. - Mini School Schedule**Schedule has 5 minute periods with 8 minute passing periods

Becoming a Freshman Mentor

Step 1 - Application:

• Part 1 - Student Profile

• Part 2 - Resume

• Part 3 - Ice breaker activity*Activities we use to develop our Activity Resource Books

• Part 4 - Essay Questions**- See Example in Resource Section

Becoming a Freshman Mentor

Step 2 - Evaluation:• Faculty Evaluation of Applicants -

Are they…• Positive role models• Willing to lead others - Responsible to manage a group

Do they have…• Communication skills• Respect for Diverse ideas and personalities• Enthusiasm and Motivation

• FMP Directors - Academics Attendance Responsible Behavior

Becoming a Freshman Mentor

Step 3 - Interviews:• Out of about 450 applicants,

only 50%-60% receive an interview with senior mentors and board of directors

2nd Year Mentors

Reapply • This includes a student profile, resume, activity,

and answers to essay questions

Faculty evaluations• Faculty re-evaluate applicants

Counselor, FMP Faculty Advisor, and FMP Director’s evaluations

• Evaluate FMP student mentor’s effectiveness as a leader,a positive role model, and a responsible student.

FMP Student Mentor Training

June – Last day of school• Orientation to FMP program by learning about our history,

traditions, expectations, & our passion to help freshmen. Summer - FMP Student Mentor

• Advisory Pairings FMP’s meet to begin to develop advisory team dynamics

• Dateline FMP ~ when the FMP team meets on a social level

August - 2 days • Team building through games and activities• Motivational Speaker - Mike Smith from Differences Makers

works with FMPs to develop their mentoring skills Lunch & Learn

• Lunch meetings (once a month) throughout the entire school year

FMP and the Students

Ultimate Goal…• Become that “special upperclassman”

Rewards • Privilege of being a part of an

internationally recognized mentoring program and esteemed co-curricular

• Opportunity to help others• Develop friendships between you and

your freshmen

FMP and the Students

Benefits of FMP: Ease freshman’s transition into high school Mentors serve as an easily accessible

resource and role models Provides a comfortable, friendly

atmosphere Helps them to meet their peers Creates instant “upperclassman friends” Who benefits more?

• They both benefit tremendously

Benefits for All

1. Creates lasting friendships2. Helps freshmen adjust to the social and

learning environments of high school3. Upperclassmen have the opportunity to build

“trusting relationships”4. Upperclassmen develop their leadership

skills5. Gives upperclassmen the opportunity to have

a lasting impact on their freshman's lives

FMP Student Mentors are the

“STAR MAKERS OF STEVENSON”

F M P“Friendly Meeting Place”It takes an adult 7 days to 7 weeks to make an impact on a student’s life, but it takes another student their age or slightly older 7 seconds to 7 minutes to make a difference.

~Anonymous~

LEARN MORE ABOUT FMP

FMP Websitehttp://www6.district125.k12.il.us/FMP/default.shtml

Contact theDirector of the Freshman Mentor Program

Dolores Fischer847-634-4000 ext.1673

dfischer@district125.k12.il.us

GO