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Paul Kinder 'Puma Pals' mentorship program expands; enrollment doubles to 270 students
Summary
Paul Kinder Middle School presented the Puma Pals mentorship program; staff reported enrollment in the exploratory ambassador class doubled after adding Puma Pals and 270 Grizzlies now participate in the I Am Notice curriculum and weekly visits to Sunny Point Elementary.
Paul Kinder Middle School leaders told the BLUE SPRINGS R-IV Board of Education at the January meeting that Puma Pals, a mentorship program pairing middle-school “Grizzlies” with Sunny Point Elementary “Pumas,” has expanded and doubled enrollment in the exploratory ambassador class.
Paul Kinder Principal Dr. Alicia Leimcooler said the program grew out of the school’s exploratory ambassador elective that uses the I Am Notice curriculum. “Since adding Puma Pals to our exploratory ambassador class, our enrollment in the class has doubled. And this year, 270 Grizzlies are working through the I am notice curriculum and rippling goodness through Paul Kinder Middle School and Sunny Point Elementary,” Dr. Leimcooler said.
Teacher Miss Trueblood described weekly visits in which middle school students cross the parking lot to spend time with elementary buddies, citing student reflections collected in class surveys. Student speakers told the board the visits lift their spirits and create meaningful connections: seventh-grader Ryder Shepherd said, “Knowing that we're going to Puma Pals makes me happier for the day,” and Trevor Frederick said the younger students’ faces “light up” when they arrive.
Presenters shared examples of personal connections formed through the program — a middle-schooler who helped a younger student shop at a school “Santa shop” and left with a new friend, and classroom projects that produced gifts and pins exchanged between buddies. Staff and board members said the program supports social-emotional skill-building and cross-campus community.
Board members praised Miss Trueblood and the student participants. No formal action was required; board members invited program participants to remain for the business portion of the meeting.
