November 2013

FLOW Logo 
FLOW Mentoring Newsletter
St. Mary's County Public Schools 

 

 The mission of the Future Leaders of the World (FLOW) Mentoring Program is to foster positive mentoring relationships between students in St. Mary's County Public Schools and members of the community and to provide supported, safe, and inspiring environments in which these matches can cultivate the potential of each youth.
 
In This Issue
FLOW In the News
What's Been Happening in FLOW
Become a Mentor
Mentoring in the News
Quick Links

 

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FLOW is Thankful!

 

November is the month to appreciate those around us.  We want to thank all of our veterans with FLOW Mentoring who have done so much to serve our country and are now serving their communities.  FLOW Mentoring is also thankful for all of our dedicated mentors and site leaders who help make our program so successful. We appreciate the time and effort that everyone takes from their busy lives to help make a difference in the lives of children from our community.

 

 We know that all of the mentees are thankful for their wonderful mentors! 

 

We at FLOW Mentoring were excited to see mentor/mentee relationships grow as the second month of our program for this school year comes to a close.  We look forward to seeing more memories created in the coming months!

 

We are still looking for a few more mentors to join our program so if you know anyone who would be interested, please contact us!  Details about the process of becoming a mentor can be found later in the newsletter.

FLOW Mentoring 
in the News 
 
In November, The County Times ran a wonderful feature titled "FLOW Mentoring Continues Making a Difference in St. Mary's County Schools."  With the recent publicity, we hope to attract even more support and interest within the community than ever before.

 

 

Photographer Reid Silverman, from The Enterprise, visited our Hollywood Elementary program as they sorted canned goods for the food pantry at the Church of the Ascension. This is the fifth year students have collected and delivered donated food items for those in need.

 

Click here to see the pics!

 
From October:

 

In DCMilitary.com, "Mentoring Program Seeks to Find the Potential in Each Student." 

 

 

In Southern Maryland News online, "St. Mary's Future Leaders of the World Mentoring Program Seeks Volunteers."
 

 
Celebrating with FLOW

Carving pumpkins on a nice fall day at
Leonardtown Middle



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Carving pumpkins at 
White Marsh Elementary

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Having fun carving spooky pumpkins at 
Park Hall Elementary







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Celebrating their successful pumpkin carving 
at Greenview Knolls Elementary
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Having fun working together at 
Ridge Elementary

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At Mechanicsville Elementary,
we are lucky to have two veterans as mentors who presented on military service for Veterans Day. The mentees had a great time asking questions about the military and life as veteran! 
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 At White Marsh Elementary, 
everyone had a great time making paracord bracelets.
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At Hollywood Elementary School, 
mentees glazed clay animals that they made!
 
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At Greenview Knolls Elementary,
mentor Carol Bennett's daughter Juli Bennett, who competed in the Rubik's Cube Nationals in Las Vegas, taught mentees how to solve a Rubik's Cube.  
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Finally, many FLOW programs celebrated Thanksgiving early with a feast!  Mentors and mentees had a wonderful time giving thanks for their friends and family while enjoying some turkey and gravy.  Take a look at White Marsh Elementary's feast!  

  

 

  
BECOME A MENTOR   
We need you. 
They need you. 



Some FAQs about FLOW Mentoring.


Why mentoring?
Because it works! Educational research has shown that mentoring is extremely effective in increasing academic performance and positive social interactions among young people. And you asked for it! Seven years ago, the most common request to the Department of Academic Support was for a quality mentoring program. We worked hard to develop and implement a school based mentoring program that meets the needs of our students here in St. Mary's County Public School-and we're proud to say we've been at it for five years!   
 

Who are the Mentors? 

How are they selected?

Our dedicated roster of Mentors come from all over Southern Maryland with hugely diverse backgrounds.  Many are business professionals or retired professionals.  Others are staff members, military personnel, secondary students, college students, and other caring and responsible community members.   They have all submitted applications, been screened, and have gone through Mentor Training before they begin to work with their student mentee.   

 

When and where does 
the mentoring take place?  

Mentoring takes place after school once a week for an hour and a half at the student's home school. This ensures that students do not miss any part of their academic day.

 

How are the student mentees selected?

At each school, the Site Leader consults with teachers, counselors, administrators, the nurse, and other staff to develop a list of students that are most likely to benefit from the program.


How can I apply? 
To apply to become a Mentor with FLOW Mentoring, we require that you complete a FLOW Mentoring Mentor Application and an SMCPS Volunteer Application (this is required of all volunteers in our school system).

Please click on the links below to view printable versions of each application.

When you have completed both applications, please mail, fax, or email the applications to:
 
Sarah R. Tyson, FLOW Mentoring IRT 
FLOW Office Location:
Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center 
24005 Point Lookout Road 
Leonardtown, MD  20650 
Phone: 301-475-0242 ext. 28128
Fax: 301-475-0245 
srtyson@smcps.org 
 

If you need further persuasion, click on the article link below to read more about the importance of mentoring.

 

MILLIONS OF CHILDREN NEED MENTORS 

 



Mentoring Research News

 

 

The Positive Effects of Youth Mentoring

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada (BBSC) published the results of one of the largest mentoring studies ever conducted.  The study found that students with a mentor were significantly more confident in their academic abilities and less likely to have behavioral issues.

 

 

   
FLOW Logo 
Make a Difference-Become a Mentor!


If you would like to learn more about FLOW Mentoring, or are interested in becoming a mentor for the 2013-14 school year, please visit our website at:
www.smcps.org/mentor
or contact Sarah Tyson at the address below.

In gratitude,
Your FLOW Mentoring team    

FLOW Mentoring
St. Mary's County Public Schools
Department of College and Career Readiness
24005 Point Lookout Road
Leonardtown, MD  20650 
Phone: 301-475-0242 x.28128
Fax: 301-475-0245