News and Events: |
Peer Mentoring Conference 2012
 Students from West Potomac High School, Lee High School, and Robinson Secondary School who mentor elementary and middle school students participated in the third annual Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Peer Mentoring Conference on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at West Potomac High School. The opening session featured a motivating presentation by Rodney Lusk, director, National Marketing, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. The high school mentors participated in breakout sessions designed to refine their mentoring skills. FCPS staff members Hassan Mims, Kristen Woodward, Nancy Colfax, and Mary Depondichello, presented workshops at the conference. Mike Swiryn and Matt Cherry from the EDGE (Mason Center for Team and Organizational Learning-GMU) helped students become strong team players through several interactive activities. Antonio Reyes, a former FCPS student and currently enrolled at George Mason University, concluded the event with some inspiring comments.
Peer mentoring in FCPS has been successful in promoting responsibility and providing leadership opportunities for older students while offering younger students a chance to relate and learn from more mature students. The conference was coordinated by FCPS staff members Carrie Jones Mendelsohn and Marcella Fulmore, social workers; Bethany Koszelak, psychologist; Hassan Mims, SAM program advisor; and Shelley Prince, MentorWorks specialist.
National Mentoring Month—January 2012
National Mentoring Month highlights mentoring and the positive impact it can have on young lives. This month-long outreach campaign focuses national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us—individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities, and nonprofits—can work together to increase the number of mentors and to ensure brighter futures for our young people. The 2012 theme is “Invest in the Future. Mentor a Child.” |
2011-12 MentorWorks Advisory Council
Each year a MentorWorks Coordinators Advisory Council is formed to help provide leadership and strategic planning for the services and resources provided by MentorWorks. This group helps build and maintain quality mentoring programs in the Fairfax County Public Schools. The council includes representatives from elementary, middle, and high schools, and this year, for the first time, a community member. The council is composed of the following individuals: Tamara Ballou, assistant principal, Rachel Carson Middle School; Gina Fajardo, counselor, Marshall High School; Vicki Hudson, multiple disabilities teacher, Centreville High School; Carrie Jones-Mendelsohn, social worker, Chantilly High School; Hassan Mims, Student Achievement Model (SAM) program academic advisor, Annandale High School; Kristine Scull, community member; and Chris Stunkard, counselor, Bonnie Brae Elementary School. |
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Fall 2011 Conference
On September 22, 2011, more than 100 attendees gathered for the MentorWorks Fall Conference. The mission of the conference was to provide information to program coordinators to ensure that Best Practices guide their programs. Eight high school students served on a panel to share their experiences and insights as a mentee or a peer mentor. The dialogue between students, facilitators, and members of the audience enlightened all. Following the opening discussion, there were four breakout sessions facilitated by Melissa Johnson, Lea Fadden, Patti Alf, Kellie Rodriguez-Lee, Christine Young, and Jessica Terpstra. Special guests included: Kim Dockery, assistant superintendent, Department of Special Services; MaryAnn Panarelli, director, Intervention and Prevention Services; Clarence Jones, coordinator, Student Safety and Wellness; and Jay Garant, coordinator, Business and Community Partnerships. |
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2010 Fall Conference
On October 1, 100 attendees gathered to learn more about initiating or growing a school-based mentoring program. The day started with a panel of experienced mentors sharing their insights. After a lively question and answer session, participants chose two breakout sessions to attend. These informative workshops were led by Christy Partlow, Debbie Alsado, Vicki Hudson, Jennifer Platt, Hassan Mims, Sara Crummett and Kristine Griswold. |
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2010 MentorWorks Advisory Council
The MentorWorks Advisory Council is an effective tool to help build and maintain quality mentoring programs in FCPS. They provide leadership and strategic planning for the services provided by MentorWorks. The 2010-11 council in the picture above from left to right are: Chris Stunkard, Melissa Johnson, Shelley Prince, Rachel Hoover, Marcella Fulmore, and Jessica Terpstra. Hassan Mims is standing in the back. Absent from this photo is Vicki Hudson.
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On May 13 six students read their winning essays entitled “Mentors Make a Difference” at the Partners in Education and MentorWorks Awards Ceremony. They are from left to right: Dave Gorham, Apple Federal Credit Union, Xavier, McNair ES, Colleen, Westbriar ES, Gianina Romero, AFCU employee, , Louise Archer ES, Emily, Lorton Station ES, Xhavier, Springfield Estates ES, and Carlos, Dranesville ES. Dr. Dale stands in the back row and Ciara from Westbriar is helping hold an enlarged US Savings Bond like the one each winner received – courtesy of Apple Federal Credit Union. The audience was deeply moved by the touching stories each essay winner shared. |
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Deer Park ES Partners with Westfield HS and is the 2010 winner of the “School Based Mentoring Award”. Every Friday Westfield HS mentors meet with their “buddies” in the Deer Park ES cafeteria. Activities coordinated by Lee White and Peggy VanCleave are designed to help reading and communication; data from the program documents improvements in many school related skills. Nominators Kevin Laub and Chuck Hoskins share that this mentoring partnership is the “highlight of everyone’s week.” |
| The award was received by those in the photo at the May 13 Partners in Education and MentorWorks Award Ceremony. From left to right: Dr. Dale, Superintendent, Carol Larsen, Deer Park Principal, Peggy VanCleave, Reading Assistant, Lee White, Reading Specialist, Chuck Hoskins, Westfield HS AP Psychology and Peer Mediation Teacher, Kevin Laub, Westfield English and Peer Mediation Teacher and Tim Thomas, Westfield HS Principal. |
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MentorWorks May Partner of the Month The David R. Pinn Community Center has partnered with Bonnie Brae Elementary School for five years and has been selected as the 2010 MentorWorks May Partner of the Month. Brian Oviatt, Bonnie Brae’s PE teacher nominated them and shared that the Pinn Center provides mentorship and guidance daily to the school’s students. The Center places emphasis on pro-social activities and values engaging caring adults in the lives of students. They provide homework assistance and positive recreation activities. MentorWorks is pleased to have the opportunity to recognize their efforts on behalf of our students. |
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MentorWorks May Partner of the MonthCharlie Ring, a music teacher at Poplar Tree Elementary has been selected as the May 2010 MentorWorks Mentor of the Month. In addition to his many school responsibilities, Mr. Ring always finds time to spend with Matt, his third grade mentee. Mr. Ring is credited with building self-confidence through positive encouragement and this has had a significant impact on Matt's overall school achievement. Carol Hoffman, who coordinates the Poplar Tree mentoring program reports that Matt is always "beaming" and happy on Mondays because that is the day he meets with his mentor, Mr. Ring. |
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FCPS Peer Mentoring Conference
On January 11, 2010, school social workers Carrie Jones and Marcella Fulmore, school psychologist Bethany Koszelak and MentorWorks Specialist Shelley Prince collaborated to host the first FCPS Peer Mentoring Conference. More > |
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