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Students, high-school mentors and administrators highlight mentorship programs; district reports project milestones
Summary
Students and administrators described high-school-led mentorship programs at Manoa Elementary and other schools, while the superintendent reported construction milestones at Chatham Park and Coopertown and other staffing and calendar updates.
Students and district leaders used the Oct. 23 meeting to highlight mentoring programs linking Haverford High School students with elementary students and to present recent district construction and staffing updates.
At the start of the superintendent's report, the district welcomed new hires and announced openings for elementary cafeteria and recess monitors. Superintendent "Miss Saxa" said the district held a small reception to introduce recently hired teachers and invited community members to apply for part-time monitor positions through the district website.
Mentoring presentation: Students from Manoa Elementary, along with Haverford High School mentors, described the district’s mentorship offerings. Dylan Schindler and Max Fisher, seniors at Haverford High School, described the "gifted mentorship program," which pairs high-school students with elementary students for monthly leadership activities. "Our time with the elementary students as mentors helps us as mentors improve our communication skills and become better leaders ourselves," Dylan said.
Elementary students described hands-on activities. "My favorite activity was the marshmallows and pasta because we had to work together as a group to make the tall structure," said Shane Temple, a fifth grader at Manoa. High-school students and teachers also described additional partnerships with athletics for flag football and basketball events and a planned coffee pop-up to support the PATH program.
Construction and calendar updates: Superintendent Saxa said the Chatham Park project is finished with minor punch-list items remaining and that Coopertown recently celebrated a steel "topping out" ceremony where students signed the final beam. The Chatham Park stage and gym floor are complete, Saxa said, and the district will schedule welcoming events shortly. The superintendent noted early dismissal on Oct. 31 and no school for students on Nov. 4 (Election Day) for staff professional development. The high school marching band was noted as pending board approval to compete in the Cavalcade Championship.
Why it matters: The mentorship programs are presented as part of the district’s wider efforts to build student leadership and strengthen ties between schools. Facility completions will affect programming, scheduling and use of new spaces such as stages and gymnasiums.
Ending: District leaders said partnerships between high-school and elementary students will continue and that construction completion will allow upcoming events in the new facilities. The district encouraged families to watch the website for additional event dates and volunteer opportunities.
