MONROE - Parkside Elementary School recently began a program to mentor students by helping them find a teacher to buddy-up with after school.
Principal Todd Paradis, teachers Dyanna Turnell and Andrea Skalmoski, along with guidance counselor Marsha Soper, helped organize the program. The idea for the mentor program came from Paradis, Skalmoski said.
The goal is to help students find another teacher to bond with - and to turn to for a little extra help.
Sometimes children need more guidance at school, Skalmoski said, adding that the mentoring program gives these students a chance to make another teacher relationship.
Monday was the first time the after-school group met.
Thirty students, from grades kindergarten through fifth grade, attended the session. There were 30 teachers who took part in the activity - so each student was matched with a teacher. The students were selected to participate in the program by their teachers.
"We did two craft projects, read stories and had a snack," Skalmoski said. "It was a fun time, but I think it's something that will be helpful for the children."
Skalmoski said she received several compliments about the program's first night from parents. The teachers plan to hold similar activities every month.
Principal Todd Paradis, teachers Dyanna Turnell and Andrea Skalmoski, along with guidance counselor Marsha Soper, helped organize the program. The idea for the mentor program came from Paradis, Skalmoski said.
The goal is to help students find another teacher to bond with - and to turn to for a little extra help.
Sometimes children need more guidance at school, Skalmoski said, adding that the mentoring program gives these students a chance to make another teacher relationship.
Monday was the first time the after-school group met.
Thirty students, from grades kindergarten through fifth grade, attended the session. There were 30 teachers who took part in the activity - so each student was matched with a teacher. The students were selected to participate in the program by their teachers.
"We did two craft projects, read stories and had a snack," Skalmoski said. "It was a fun time, but I think it's something that will be helpful for the children."
Skalmoski said she received several compliments about the program's first night from parents. The teachers plan to hold similar activities every month.