Emerson Elementary School Initiates Newcomer Mentoring Program
Media Release
Sometimes students just need someone to talk at their school to for a little extra help and guidance. Emerson Elementary School has initiated a Mentoring program that connects Newcomer scholars with dedicated staff members who will be their mentors throughout the school year.
As part of the program, the 24 Newcomers and eight Mentors will formally meet once a month. In addition, Newcomer students will check in with each other daily while at lunch, in the hallways, and at recess. This daily positive interaction creates a more organic relationship among the Newcomers, resulting in increased attendance and positive school culture.
The Mentors, who are Emerson staff, were chosen specifically because they also went through the learning experience of acquiring the English language as a student.
This new program is designed to help Newcomer students transition into the education system and Emerson's School Culture more effectively, taking into consideration their linguistic, cultural, and social emotional needs. This is an opportunity for CUSD Newcomers to receive guidance, build relationships, and feel at home at Emerson Elementary School.
Mentoring programs have been proven to offer numerous benefits to students such as increased grade-point averages, improved test scores, improved attendance, developing social skills and adaptation to school, and they help students develop positive interactions and self-esteem.