Mentor Program

Support and Guidance for FSPS Students

The Student Mentoring Program helps to promote and foster student success across the district. By connecting students with dedicated adult mentors, we create a supportive environment that encourages personal and academic growth.

Program Overview

A Commitment to Nurturing Potential

Mentor Training: All mentors receive comprehensive training and undergo an annual background check to ensure a safe and effective mentoring experience.

Mentor-Mentee Pairing: After training, mentors are thoughtfully paired with a student for the school year, creating a lasting and impactful relationship.

Regular Meetings: Most schools host bi-monthly mentor-mentee meetings during lunch, providing a consistent touchpoint for guidance and support.

Mentorship Guidelines

As a mentor, your role is to be a supportive guide, not a teacher or parent. Your aim is to help your mentee navigate their world more effectively, fostering trust and rapport through consistent communication.

Key Do's for Mentors

Be Genuine and Engaging: Your authenticity and energy set the tone for the relationship.
Consistent Communication: Regular meetings are crucial. Use the 3-2-1 conversation starter/closer to foster two-way communication. Always inform and reschedule if you'll miss a meeting.
Follow School Guidelines: Adhere to the mentor program's rules and activities as directed by the sponsoring school.
Session Activities: Activities may include conversations, games, crafts, or school work review. Always led by the school's direction.
Confidentiality is Key: Maintain the confidentiality of discussions with your mentee. Report any concerns about harm to the program sponsor or school official.
Gift-Giving Protocol: Consult with your program sponsor before providing any gifts or addressing physical needs of the mentee.
Concluding the Mentorship: Properly closing the mentor-mentee relationship is vital. Follow the school/program's guidance for wrap-up activities.

FAQs

What does mentoring look like?

Mentors are trusted advisors who encourage their mentees to think about success.

Mentors and mentees often eat lunch together and talk about their past and coming weeks.
Mentors help their students check grades. They discuss challenges and celebrate successes.
A mentor and mentee might listen to a speaker and then discuss the topic, or
They might play a game, or participate in activities designed by the school's mentoring coordinator.

What is my commitment?

Consistency and constancy are perhaps the most important characteristics mentors can model for students.
Mentors commit to building a relationship with their assigned student for one school year.

Mentoring meetings are usually scheduled two times a month during the school's lunch period. These bi-weekly meetings last about an hour. Barring an illness or another emergency, mentors are asked to attend all scheduled meetings. If something comes up and you have to miss a meeting, please notify the school mentor coordinator before the meeting begins. They will do their best to let you know if your student is absent on the day of the meeting too.

What if my mentee moves?

Do I keep the same student each year?

All mentor/mentee relationships are set to be active for one school year. The relationship has a formal beginning and ending, so that the students and adults are prepared if something happens that will prevent the relationship from continuing. However, many of these relationships continue over several years and sometimes last elementary through high school. We can help you figure out what may work best for you.

Become a Mentor

Are you interested in being a mentor? Fill out a mentor application and participate in one of our training sessions. We will work together to match you with a school that is close to your office or home if proximity is a consideration.

Mentor Application Spanish

Elementary Schools

Middle Schools

High Schools

Other

Our Schools