Transition to High School:Upperclassmen Leading the Way
Presented by:
Dolores Fischer FMP Coordinator
andFMP Student Mentors
Freshman Mentor Program
Mentoring - “The Act of Giving”
F M P“Our Friendly Meeting Place”
Mentoring “The Act of Giving”
The FMP Student Mentor is giving each freshman:
“A gift of knowledge”“A gift of friendship”
“A gift of experience”
A TRIBUTE TO OURFMP STUDENT MENTORS
ŅIf you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.Ó - From ŅThe Wo rld According to Mr. RodgersÓ
WHAT IS FMP????
The freshman mentor program provides each freshman with a supportive environment that allows a smooth adjustment from junior high to high school, both academically and socially.
Advisory that meets 4 days a week On-going orientation to high school A comfortable environment to grow in high
school Counselors monitor each freshman's academic
progress Constant announcements of school activities Academic Resources through faculty advisor,
FMP’s, and subject study groups.
FMP provides each freshman with:
History of FMP 1990-91 - Pilot Homeroom
Freshman Advisory with two teachers.
1991-92 - Expand Advisory to more teachers
1992-94 - Continue Homeroom program to see the lasting affects of FMP
February -1994 visit Highland Park High School’s APF program
March -1994 - Proposal for Freshman Mentor Program to Board of Ed using Highland Park model to include student mentors
1994-95 - Pilot FMP Advisories with students
1995-96 - Expand FMP to the whole freshman class
1996-97 - Implement Freshman Orientation Day
1997-98 - We decide to pilot 6 advisories with 3 student mentors in each, rather than two.
1998-99 - Expand Program to include more FMP’s and advisories
1999 - 2000 - Introduced Board of Directors to help maintain control over the growing program
2000 -2001 – Expand all advisories to 3 FMP’s in each
2001-2002 – Pilot 4 to 5 FMP’s within each advisory
2002-Present – Improve FMP to Freshman ratio, eventually growing to over 240 FMP’s strong.
FMP Faculty Leaders
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES
FMP DIRECTOR
Three FMP coordinators observe, evaluate, and monitor advisory activities
FMP Student Leaders
FMP ADVISORY LEADERS
FMP EXECUTIVE BOARD
TWO PRESIDENTS VICE PRESIDENTS
Board of Directors
Leaders that organize FMP
events
3 FMP Mentors
Advisory team
* = Dean and social Worker meet their freshmen on Orientation day.
COUNSELOR, DEAN*, SOCIAL WORKER*
FACULTY ADVISOR
STUDENT MENTORS (3-4)
Advisory Team
Student Mentor
Faculty Advisor
Counselor
Advisory Team
The Faculty Advisor:• Provides leadership coaching for Student Mentors• Supervises advisory
(satisfies contract for supervision)• Helps organize/participate in activities• Performs administrative duties• Provides a resource for all students
Advisory Team
The Guidance Counselor:• Provides an opportunity to develop a
rapport with their freshman • Talks about necessary topics with
students as a group• Allows time to answer questions for
students
A Week In Advisory
Monday - Small Group Day Tuesday -
Meet with your counselor Wednesday -
Homework/Study Day Thursday - Activity Day
Special Events August -
• Freshman Orientation• Freshman dance• Guidebook Test • Co-curricular Education
September -• ~“Becoming A Patriot”~
Superintendent speaks to freshman• Introduction to technology
October -• Homecoming• Discuss earning privileges at
Stevenson November -
• Principal Visits• Career Cruising
December -• “The Giving Month”
January - • Preparing For Finals• Registering for classes - four year
plan February -
• Pre-Driving program with police• Odyssey
March• Co-curricular Fair
April -• World of Difference
May- • 8th grade dance• 8th grade transition program• Advisory Awards Day
FMP provides each freshman with:
A comprehensive transition program during their 8th grade year which includes:• Parents and future freshmen come to
Stevenson for Registration - February• Co-curricular fair - March• Meeting with FMP student advisors at
junior high schools - May• Freshman Orientation day - August
Co-Curricular FairIn march, The Stevenson Student Activities invites parents and our future freshman to learn about Stevenson’s clubs(over 100) Intramurals, and Sports Teams.
Spring Eighth Grade Transition Program
FMPs go to Jr. High Schools In small groups FMPs talk to their
future freshmen about Stevenson High School’s: AcademicsCo- Curricular OpportunitiesSocial AspectsSupport ServicesFreshman Orientation day
FRESHMAN ORIENTATION DAY
The day before the “official first day of school”.
Two FMPs ride each school bus and greet freshmen at each bus stop(56 bus routes)
FMPs escort students to the Sports Center to pick up their schedule and direct them to
their advisory classroom.
FRESHMAN ORIENTATION SCHEDULE
7:30 A.M. - 8:00 A.M - Receive class schedule, locker card,and ID (if taken in summer school) in the sports center. Freshmen then report to their Advisory.
8:00 A.M. - 10:15 A.M. - Advisory Activities, ID/Yearbook Pictures, Tours of the school in small groups with the FMP’s. Visit key places in school (i.e. lockers, gyms, lunchrooms, etc.).
10:15 A.M. - 11:15 A.M. - Welcome Assembly 11:30 A.M. - 12:30 P. M. - Meet with Dean, Counselor and
Social Worker 12:30 P.M. - 1:30 P.M. - Lunch 1: 30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. - Mini School Schedule*
*Schedule has 5 minute periods with 8 minute passing periods
Becoming a Freshman Mentor
Step 1 - Application:
• Part 1 - Student Profile
• Part 2 - Resume
• Part 3 - Ice breaker activity*Activities we use to develop our Activity Resource Books
• Part 4 - Essay Questions**- See Example in Resource Section
Becoming a Freshman Mentor
Step 2 - Evaluation:• Faculty Evaluation of Applicants -
Are they…• Positive role models• Willing to lead others - Responsible to manage a group
Do they have…• Communication skills• Respect for Diverse ideas and personalities• Enthusiasm and Motivation
• FMP Directors - Academics Attendance Responsible Behavior
Becoming a Freshman Mentor
Step 3 - Interviews:• Out of about 450 applicants,
only 50%-60% receive an interview with senior mentors and board of directors
2nd Year Mentors
Reapply • This includes a student profile, resume, activity,
and answers to essay questions Faculty evaluations
• Faculty re-evaluate applicants Counselor, FMP Faculty Advisor,
and FMP Director’s evaluations• Evaluate FMP student mentor’s
effectiveness as a leader,a positive role model, and a responsible student.
FMP Student Mentor Training
June – Last day of school• Orientation to FMP program by learning about our history,
traditions, expectations, & our passion to help freshmen. Summer - FMP Student Mentor
• Advisory Pairings FMP’s meet to begin to develop advisory team dynamics
• Dateline FMP ~ when the FMP team meets on a social level August - 2 days
• Team building through games and activities• Motivational Speaker - Mike Smith from Differences Makers
works with FMPs to develop their mentoring skills Lunch & Learn
• Lunch meetings (once a month) throughout the entire school year
FMP and the Students
Ultimate Goal…• Become that “special upperclassman”
Rewards • Privilege of being a part of an
internationally recognized mentoring program and esteemed co-curricular
• Opportunity to help others• Develop friendships between you and
your freshmen
FMP and the Students
Benefits of FMP: Ease freshman’s transition into high school Mentors serve as an easily accessible
resource and role models Provides a comfortable, friendly
atmosphere Helps them to meet their peers Creates instant “upperclassman friends” Who benefits more?
• They both benefit tremendously
Benefits for All
1. Creates lasting friendships2. Helps freshmen adjust to the social and
learning environments of high school3. Upperclassmen have the opportunity to build
“trusting relationships”4. Upperclassmen develop their leadership skills5. Gives upperclassmen the opportunity to have a
lasting impact on their freshman's lives
FMP Student Mentors are the
“STAR MAKERS OF STEVENSON”
F M P“Friendly Meeting Place”It takes an adult 7 days to 7 weeks to make an impact on a student’s life, but it takes another student their age or slightly older 7 seconds to 7 minutes to make a difference.
~Anonymous~
LEARN MORE ABOUT FMP
FMP Websitehttp://www6.district125.k12.il.us/FMP/default.shtml
Contact theDirector of the Freshman Mentor Program
Dolores Fischer847-634-4000 ext.1673
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