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Happy Thanksgiving
to our FLOW Community!
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we would like to thank our wonderful Mentors and Site Leaders who have gotten this year off to a great start. We have already paired around 115 Mentors with Mentees this year, and that is only at the elementary level. Many of our programs have reached their target capacity and are continuing to expand. Our middle school programs are also off to an excellent start, each serving between 20 and 30 students. We are so very thankful for the generosity of time, energy, and creativity that each Mentor and Site Leader has shown this year.
In this issue of our newsletter, you will find pictures and stories from the many adventures our FLOW groups have had this month and the innovative projects they have undertaken. You will also learn about our "Garland of Gratitude" Activity of the Month, and about what is happening in the world of mentoring.
And as always, please forward this email to anyone you think may be interested in receiving our newsletter.
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FLOW in the Arts
During the week of November 16th, FLOW Mentoring programs from five different elementary schools visited the St. Mary's College of Maryland to participate in "FLOW in the Arts", a fun introduction to artistic expression hosted by students and faculty of the SMCM Art Department. FLOW mentees and their mentors were given a tour of the current exhibition in the college gallery, talked about the themes displayed in the artists' work, played art-based games, and created their own visual masterpieces.
One Mentor's Reflection on FLOW in the Arts:
"FLOW Mentors and Mentees enjoyed their visit yesterday at Saint Mary's College of Maryland as we participated in several exciting art activities. After St. Mary's College students provided a great introduction to the gallery, mentors and mentees worked on an I-Spy activity. We walked around the gallery looking for objects in numerous paintings. After that, we sat in a circle to learn about migration and the geometric figures of art. In order to make our lesson complete, we got to make our own pictures of migration by using geometric figures. Mentors and mentees could choose to create a place that they would like to travel to or a place that they have been to. We gathered around the table and began to make our creation. My mentee choose to create a story of the places she had lived in. I chose Italy as a place I would love to return to. Others wanted to draw their dream destination: Hawaii, Florida, Hollywood, Los Angeles, and more! We used shapes like squares, triangles, rectangles, and half circles to create our pictures. After mentors and mentees discussed the meaning of their picture, it was time to leave. Mentors and mentees said their goodbyes and looked forward to their upcoming visit!"
- Elizabeth Vicini, FLOW Mentor
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Windows into FLOW
The Hollywood FLOW Group visits the Church of the Ascension to help sort canned goods for the needy.
Mentors and Mentees decorate paper boxes for the recycling program at Lettie Marshall Dent.
A finished Recycling Box!
Making Entries for the Reflections Art Contest at Lexington Park Elementary
A Mentor and Mentee play a math game at Park Hall Elementary.
The Ridge Elementary FLOW Program visits Saint Mary's College of Maryland for a Halloween Party hosted by the Athletics and Recreation Department and the Student Education Association.
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Create a "Garland of Gratitude" with your mentee!
Instructions:
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Draw a bunch of leaf shapes on brightly colored construction paper. You can choose an autumn color theme, or any other color combination that strikes your fancy. You can draw your own leaf shapes or trace leaves from the following pattern from the Disney Family Fun website: leaf template.
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Write one thing in your life that you are grateful for on each leaf. These can be small, everyday things, or big global things. They can be people, places, pets, foods, ideas, etc.
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Is Obama Inspiring Black Men to Step Up?
Read about the effect the President's call to service is having on black men around the country.
Michelle Obama: Mentor in Chief
Learn about the First Lady's mentoring initiative in which young women from the D.C. area will be mentored by White House staff.
Colin Powell Says Black Men Need Mentoring
Colin Powell speak out about the need for responsible, caring adults in African-American childrens' lives.
Snoop Dogg Rings the Bell
Snoop Dog opens the NYSE Mentoring Madness event and talks about the mentors in his life.
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We are still looking for good mentors! If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a mentor for the 2009-10 school year or would like to learn more about FLOW Mentoring, please visit our website at: www.smcps.org/mentor. Or contact Sarah Tyson at the address below.
Many thanks,
Mark Smith, Sarah Tyson, and Maia Jones Your FLOW Mentoring team
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St. Mary's County Public Schools
23160 Moakley St., Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: 301-475-5511 x. 145
Fax: 301-475-2469
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