December 2015
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
Our Amazing FLOW Community
On Site with FLOW!
Mentoring News
Become a Mentor!
Quick Links

 

Our Partners
 
 
St. Mary's College of Maryland Logo
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'Tis the Season!

Here at FLOW, this is a wonderful time of year. The craziness of our Fall mentor recruiting/screening/training crunch is over, and its the time for us to relish in the blooming mentoring relationships around us. Its also a time for you, our FLOW Mentors, Site Leaders, and community supporters to reflect on the growing connections between mentors and mentees. 

Thank you for being a merry and bright spot in the lives of each of our student mentees!  
  
Have a Wonderful Holiday Season!
Dining Etiquette 101!
Our Amazing FLOW Community 
   
On November 12th FLOW Mentees participated in a Dining Etiquette workshop hosted by Ms. Marcia Loyd, a retired Career and Technology teacher at Chopticon High School.  Students learned about proper dining techniques including table setting and table manners. They enjoyed practicing their skills the following week when Ms. Loyd prepared 5 tables with food and assessed the students' knowledge by asking questions while they practiced their newly developed skills.

Such a fun and engaging opportunity for our Chopticon Mentees!




 



On Site with FLOW:
Lots of Bonding and Fun Times! 

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Park Hall Elementary mentors and mentees work together to create a banner in honor of Veteran's Day!



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Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary
making pumpkin pies!
 
 
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Benjamin Banneker Elementary enjoying their annual Thanksgiving feast! 



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Mechanicsville Elementary works on team building skills!




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Town Creek Elementary
learned about the historical events that lead to the celebration of Thanksgiving. They then used their problem solving skills to build model houses using apple cubes and toothpicks! 







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Chopticon High School's
initial meetings with their mentors to build community and promote positive relationships!
 
Mentoring News
 

 

 

Mentoring Mindsets Initiative


The National Mentoring Partnership and the U.S. Department of Education are joining together to promote funding positive efforts to help students achieve academic success. This partnership is will be creating Growth Mindset Toolkits for Mentors. These kits will help mentors and mentees to establish learning mindsets and skills for success!



NFL Player Overcomes Difficult Circumstances Thanks to Supportive Mentors


 

Journalist Ben Shpigel shares the circumstances that NY Jets player, Lorezo Maudlin III faced as a youth and how he was able to overcome these difficulties thanks to a network of caring adults. This article also discusses the need for "anchoring relationships" -such as mentors- at various times in life. A great read on the power of being an anchor for our mentees. 


 


   
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! Nine 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 eight 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 and military personnel.  Others are school staff members, parents, grandparents, secondary students, college students, retired citizens, 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 FLOW 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 
flow@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 

 
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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 2015-16 school year, please visit our website at: 
 
or contact Sarah Tyson at the address below.

In gratitude,
Your FLOW Mentoring team  
  

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