Program Description
The Students Mentoring Students – Freshman Transition Program (SMS) is a yearlong peer-facilitated program that strives to introduce incoming freshman to Southern Lee High School. This connection will help freshmen learn about their new school, develop friendships with students in their own grade as well as with their upper class peer mentors. Through intentional efforts and well-rehearsed facilitation, peer mentors will help incoming freshmen feel comfortable being themselves thereby reducing the likelihood of inappropriate behavior in the name of “fitting in”. Through participation in the SMS program, incoming freshmen will be more likely to work productively in groups, there will be increased tolerance and acceptance of diversity, and there will be a stronger sense of community, thus an increase in Cavalier Pride. Incoming freshmen will be exposed to positive upper class role models and given an opportunity to develop their own leadership skills. The SMS program will be implemented by The Spanish Club, made up of sophomore and juniors, who will facilitate bi-weekly meetings after school. The student-facilitators will show up to each meeting prepared to lead an activity/hold discussions/help with assignment etc. Each Spanish Club participant will meet with the same incoming freshmen every time as to encourage good rapport and relationship building. Each peer mentor is supervised by the Spanish Club Adviser, Ms. De Avila, who serve as teacher at SLHS and by Mrs. Anna Whalen, SLMS Guidance Counselor.