Chelmsford Valley District Composite School (CVDCS) connected secondary students with elementary students for guidance, encouragement, relationship building, and a lesson on leadership.
As the Rainbow District School Board's only Kindergarten to Grade 12 school, CVDCS was uniquely positioned to launch a mentorship program bringing older and younger students together.
Grade 11 student mentor Xara Martel of Chelmsford Valley District Composite School, left, works alongside Grade 2 student mentee Lainey Lankshear to construct a tower. Groups were challenged to build the highest tower using spaghetti sticks and mini marshmallows. They also received $10 to buy extra building materials from the STEM Store.
Led by Grade 11 and 12 students, the 10-week program focused on leadership development, student well-being, and academic/social growth. The mentors planned the activities each week, based on themes linked to the Rainbow District School Board's priorities.
The mentors engaged younger students in purposeful, age-appropriate activities, including icebreakers and relationship building; goal setting and reflection; reading buddies and literacy support; art, creativity, and wellness activities; discussions about bullying, friendship, inclusion, and equity; STEM exploration; healthy living and physical activity; and career exploration and discussions about future goals. At the end of the 10 weeks, a celebration was held to honour achievement.
The initiative began the week of October 30th and culminated the week of January 15th. Twenty-minute sessions were held two days a week, giving both mentors and mentees an opportunity to get to know each other and connect on a deeper level.
"As leaders in their schools, older students are ideal role models for those who are following in their footsteps," said Director of Education Bruce Bourget. "In addition to building positive relationships, the mentors can help the younger students develop confidence and social skills, support academic engagement and literacy, promote mental health and well-being, encourage goal setting and future planning, and foster leadership, empathy and responsibility."
Teacher Rick Legrow, who launched the program two years ago, said both older and younger students benefit from the experience. "Senior students get to apply their leadership skills in a real-world setting; develop communication, empathy, and responsibility; gain experience working with younger students; and reflect on their leadership growth."
He added: "The senior students also develop a better understanding of the important role they play in the lives of younger peers. They are someone the younger students look up to for guidance and for support."
"I enjoyed helping kids socialize and build relationships," said Grade 12 student mentor Andrea Bagay. "We have noticed that when younger students work with older students, they tend to be happier overall and are more open to collaborating as a team to get the task done."
She added: "I believe this mentorship program will help students to be good leaders and maintain positive peer relationships in the future."
Grade 4 student mentee Harmony Smith would definitely sign up again. "I enjoyed the exercises we got to do with our mentors," she said. "They were really nice and made me feel good. My favourite activities were art and reading together."
From the perspective of the mentees, Rick Legrow says they not only build confidence and positive school connections, they also receive encouragement from older peers; develop social, emotional, and goal-setting skills; and experience a supportive transition through the elementary grades.
