MENTORING IN BISD

January is National Mentoring Month and BISD is celebrating the annual campaign aimed at expanding quality mentoring connections between caring adults and our BISD students. Current research shows that mentors play a significant role in providing young people with the tools to attend and engage in school, to reduce or avoid risky behaviors like drug use, and to expect to achieve success in life.

BISD has worked to increase student mentoring programs across the district, demonstrating the district’s commitment to address the needs of every student and helps provide a safe, positive school climate. Mentoring has several faces in BISD but each has the goal of providing an extra caring individual as a role model in the life of our student. They are an example of the successful adults we want our students to aspire to become.

• STUDENT-TO-STUDENT MENTORING
  
  Student-to-student mentoring has a long history in BISD with the successful Peer Assistance & Leadership (PALS) program at the top of the list. Both Brazosport and Brazoswood high schools encourage student leaders to serve in this initiative. High school students assist younger students in using positive decision-making skills and resiliency. For the start of this school year, approximately 173 elementary students are being served by 68 PALS.
  In addition, many of our high school sports teams dedicate time each week to visit elementary students for reading and tutoring where needed. The young students love to have these skilled athletes model good academic and character traits each time they come.
  
  
• ADULT-TO-STUDENT MENTORING
  
  As an added dynamic to the mentoring picture, several adult-to-student mentoring programs make a lasting impact on BISD students. 
  
  
• LIFT UP
  
  A few years ago BISD began a one-on-one mentoring program entitled LIFT UP. This district school-based mentoring initiative seeks to connect supportive, caring adults with our students. The program’s name reflects the intent of helping students rise to success by the encouragement of another adult in their life.
  
  
• LEO’s & PEAL’s
  
  BISD Police Department’s started the Leaders that are Educated and are Overachievers (LEO’s) program for young boys and the Poise Elegance Attentiveness Responsible Leaders (PEARL’s) program for girls. The program is designed to develop respectful, responsible students who are accountable for their actions. This Fall there are over 120 LEO’s and PEARL’s at SFA, Velasco, Clute Intermediate, Lanier, and Rasco campuses.
  
  
• Man2Man
  
  A new, inspiring group mentoring program on the Brazosport High campus is the Man2Man Mentoring led by Administration Specialist, Patrick Rivers. Through this year-long program, male students come together weekly for a discussion on the characteristics of manhood. Some of the topics discussed are Honor, Perseverance, Loyalty, Consistency and Self-Sacrifice just to name a few.
  
  
• ASCEND
  
  The ASCEND Program, which stands for Acquiring Strength, Character, Employability and Networking skills with Determination, is a new program in BISD for students in transition who may require an additional level of support in order to be successful.  ASCEND students benefit by having caring and committed professionals providing mentoring, college and career readiness activities, and social emotional learning opportunities. The program helps students learn to set smart goals and have the confidence to accomplish them.  Additionally, college visits, academic field trips and a leadership summit are incorporated to help empower students and equip them for their future.
  
  

Danny Massey, Superintendent of BISD Schools says, “There is no greater way to impact a student’s life and your life than to become a mentor. Our goal is for every student in BISD to have a trusting adult they feel comfortable talking to.”

As you can see, in BISD we are well on our way!

If you want to know more about any of these opportunities or want to “Become a Mentor” please click on the website link and follow the steps. Or feel free to contact BISD Volunteer/Mentor Liaison Sharon Ritchie for assistance at 979-730-7000 ext. 12455.

www.brazosportisd.net/community/become a mentor