Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Support Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oak Ridge High students present peer‑mentoring, culture and new‑student programs to school board
Summary
Students and a school social worker described three student‑led programs — Wildcat Mentoring, Wildcats for Change and New Student Ambassadors — that aim to support social‑emotional learning, build peer connections and ease transitions for new students.
Oak Ridge High School students and the school social worker presented three student‑led programs to the Oak Ridge Board of Education on Jan. 27 aimed at improving school culture, student connections and transition support.
Allison King, school social worker at Oak Ridge High School, told the board the counseling department began tracking student barriers to learning and found anxiety and depression were primary concerns. "We started doing some social‑emotional lessons," King said, and students later approached staff to develop peer‑to‑peer programming.
The presentation described three initiatives. Wildcat Mentoring targets ninth‑grade students and uses the Teen Truth and CharacterStrong curricula; student mentors hold weekly activities in study halls to teach communication, goal setting, empathy and teamwork. "When I was a freshman, I had mentors that came into my lunch class and hung out with us," said Mira Sheth, a senior at Oak Ridge High School. "They made us all feel so welcome in our new school. I would love the opportunity to make some of the new freshmen feel the same way."
Wildcats for Change focuses on school culture and community events intended to strengthen relationships between students and staff. Jessica Linton, a junior, said the program organizes events including a back‑to‑school bash, game nights and a trunk‑or‑treat. "We're enhancing student‑staff relationships ... improving peer connections," Linton said.
The New Student Ambassadors program pairs returning students with newly enrolled students for personalized tours, schedule help and lunch‑period matching to ease the first‑day transition. "We do personalized school tours ... and match lunch periods so the student can have a familiar person to sit with the first day," a student presenter said.
Students gave examples of impact. Ben, a sophomore who moved frequently because his father served in the Marine Corps, said being an ambassador helped new students make friends and find belonging: "I can definitely say it works because one of my closest friends this year is someone I showed around the school at the beginning of the year."
The board commended the students for their leadership during the brief question period. The programs, presenters said, aim to make Oak Ridge High School feel smaller and more welcoming by increasing peer support, improving student satisfaction and strengthening community connections.
The presentations took place during the board's Jan. 27 meeting and were followed by routine board business.
