The Mentors Program Comes to Freshmen Homerooms
NEIRAD enilno edition
Homeroom is getting a shake-up. Some may wonder why seniors are showing up in freshmen homerooms. These seniors are part of the new mentors program. They will visit underclassmen homerooms to discuss what seems like the overwhelming work in high school and help them prepare for the years to come.
Senior mentor Jen Selensky recently went into one of the freshmen homerooms to share advice about studying for midterms. “We gave them tips about planning their time, reminded them of the importance of sleep, and answered any questions they had,” Selensky said.
When students think of homeroom, they often see it as a 20-minute break to watch Blue Wave News before continuing on to the last period. A new year brings new changes to homeroom. History teacher Chris Buckley is heading up the Mentors Program. Mr. Buckley believes the new addition of activities to homeroom will help unify the disparate student body.
“We view ourselves to be a fairly unconnected community, and through this program students can interact with all grade levels, informing kids on things teachers can’t inform,” Mr. Buckley said.
“That being said, high school is one of the greatest changes in a student’s life. That’s why we want the most knowledgeable students of the school—the seniors— to help underclassmen with the transition to high school.”
The first meeting took place early last month. Teachers passed out a midterm schedule to help students plan sports and school activities around an exam study schedule. The change is in accordance with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) program. The new homeroom is designed to be more beneficial using the time to help students plan and discuss different aspects of their frenzied lives.
Freshmen Phoebe Taylor found the program particularly helpful in de-stressing her midterm regime. “The mentors that came in were really helpful and gave good first-hand accounts of what taking the exams was like. I would definitely want more advice from them,” Taylor said.
Freshmen Alexandra Ford, however, preferred the typical homeroom watching the Blue Wave News rather than the Mentors program. “Although it was nice that they gave out the time and layout of the midterms, it wasn’t extremely helpful as I thought it would be.
The Mentors program will now expand to include visits beyond the initial freshmen exam planning help session in January. Although activities vary for each grade, the Blue Wave News screenings will be replaced with lessons on credit cards, college, academic integrity, and high school transcripts.
Senior Lisa Randall loves being a mentor. “It’s fun getting to know freshmen I’d never have met if it weren’t for the program. I wish it were around when I was a freshman because there’s lots of important information on studying for midterms that would have been a big help,” Randall said.
In the future, the Mentors Program is looking to combine with the Big Brother Big Sister Program already at DHS, where upperclassmen organize events in which they can talk to and help out struggling freshmen.
The Mentors Program is looking for student representation. Please email any criticisms and suggestions to Mr. Buckley at CBuckley@darienps.org.
