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Toms River expands school mentoring program to nearly every school, officials say
Summary
District staff told the Board of Education that mentoring programs now operate at nearly all Toms River schools, with elementary programs reporting 300–320 enrollments and High School East listing 101 mentees; officials said mentoring improves attendance, engagement and reduces discipline referrals.
TOMS RIVER, N.J. — District leaders told the Toms River Regional School District Board of Education on Nov. 1 that mentoring programs begun at the secondary level have been expanded into almost every elementary, middle and high school to boost student engagement and social-emotional supports.
District curriculum staff said the programs pair students with trained staff mentors, usually meeting 10–15 minutes weekly during the school day and holding full-group events two to three times a year. "The mentor is somebody who allows you to see the Hope inside yourself," one presenter said, adding that materials, logs and a mentor packet help staff document and organize the work.
Why it matters: presenters said mentoring is a tiered intervention aimed at students who are disengaged, have attendance or behavior challenges, or show other risk indicators. Officials said the program’s goals are to increase attendance and school engagement, reduce discipline referrals and lower dropout risk.
Elementary presenters Megan and Kristen described onboarding steps — a needs assessment, mentor training and staff folders with literature and mentoring logs — and said their elementary program’s total enrollment spans roughly 300–320 with about 60–75 elementary students served to date. The presenters said mentors are voluntary staff (teachers, paraprofessionals and other school employees) and that they had trained roughly 40 staff members at one elementary building.
At the secondary level, the High School East lead described a 15-year-old "Raiders Helping Raiders" program and said all three high schools and three middle schools participate. "We currently have the program in all three high schools, all three middle schools," the secondary presenter said, noting High School East lists 101 mentees and more than 60 staff mentors.
Program activities vary by age: presenters said elementary mentors focus on relationship building, games, crafts and short meetings, while secondary programming includes clubs and activities such as skateboarding, yoga and school beautification projects to engage older students.
Board members asked logistical questions about transportation and event timing; staff said full-group events are usually before school (families drop off by car) while mentor–mentee meetings occur during the school day, scheduled to align with both participants’ timetables.
Looking ahead: district staff offered to provide deeper program documentation on request, and presenters said they will continue to share outcomes and expand training across buildings.
The curriculum discussion closed with board members praising staff volunteers and the community effort that sustains the programs.
