End-of-Year 2015-16
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
Join Our Mailing List
FLOW thanks you!
I thank you. 

June marks the end of our 8th year of FLOW Mentoring. With unending thanks to our brilliant site leaders and our dedicated teams of mentor teachers and mentor volunteers, we had wildly successful programs running throughout the county.  I want to thank everyone who has helped FLOW become such a positive part of our community. It is with a healthy dose of both trepidation and excitement that I announce my departure from FLOW Mentoring. I will be going back to my roots as an art teacher and join the Chesapeake Public Charter School community. That said, my commitment to FLOW and mentoring in SMCPS remains strong and clear and I intend to do everything I can to ensure a smooth transition to my successor. So you, dear FLOW supporter, are not rid of me just yet!
  
I wish you a joy-filled summer and look forward to working with you -in some capacity- again next year!

In gratitude,
Sarah
 

Benjamin Banneker Elementary Promotes Friendship!
Our Amazing FLOW Community













Inspired by an article about a friendship bench created at Thunder Hill Elementary in Columbia, MD, Mrs. Bowling, principal at Benjamin Banneker Elementary, approached the mentees and mentors of the BBES FLOW program to seek their assistance in creating a Buddy Bench for BBES!

Mentees and their mentors worked together to come up with potential designs, keeping in mind that the bench would need to be inviting and something that someone who has no one to play with at recess would want to come and sit on. After drafting preliminary sketches, the pairs worked together to come up with a final concept.

Our BBES FLOW team built the bench, spent weeks painting it, and proudly placed it outside in the playground. They hope to be able to promote kindness and build many friendships through the use of this extraordinary Buddy Bench!


On Site with FLOW:
Celebrating Successful Mentoring!

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Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary
let loose and created balloon animals and vegetable curry! 
  
 
 
  
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Ridge Elementary held a mathnasium!





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White Marsh Elementary took a trip to Clay Creations and had a blast painting their very own piece of pottery!




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Piney Point Elementary made Mother's Day wish jars and helped to beautify their school!





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Hollywood Elementary mentees and mentors created picture frames, door hangers, and received chalkboards with personalized messages on them! 















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Benjamin Banneker Elementary took a trip to Ledo's Pizza in Leonardtown where they got to tour the kitchen and make their very own pizzas!
 
Mentoring News
 

 

 

A "Surprise" When Working

with Challenging Mentees!

This short article discusses the benefits of ensuring that there is adequate training prior to making matches. A speech given by Donovan Livingston, Ed.M., and his realization of the role that his mentor played in his life demonstrates how important mentor training can be. 



Just What the Doctor Ordered!

A Washington Post article that pinpoints how strong relationships lead to better health!  Data proves that "having people who care about us is good for us."

 

BECOME A MENTOR
We need you. 
They need you. 


Some FAQs about FLOW:

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:
  
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.

 
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 2016-17 school year, please visit our website at: 
 
or contact the FLOW office 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