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Students describe Impact peer mentoring pilot that pairs upperclassmen with freshmen
Summary
Val Nierman and student mentor Dan Walsh presented the Impact peer mentoring pilot at Mahopac High School, describing mentor training, activities, and how the program aims to build freshmen connections and confidence; board members praised the program.
Val Nierman, the district’s health coordinator and advisor to the Impact Peer Mentoring Program, told the board the program is in its second year as a high‑school pilot and grew out of the Mayapac High School Climate Committee’s efforts to improve school climate.
Nierman said the program pairs eleventh‑ and twelfth‑grade volunteers with freshmen and requires training so mentors understand appropriate topics and how to support mentees. Student mentor Dan Walsh described low‑key meetings centered on games, conversation and relationship building; he said the most visible impact is when mentees become more socially confident and greet mentors in hallways.
Board members thanked the presenters and principal staff for supporting the pilot. No formal action was taken; the program was presented as an informational update and recognized for positive student outcomes.
