S.I.P. Strands for School Improvement

1. S.I.P. Strands for School Improvement A working model that identifies various strands to support students at Walter Johnson High School in concert with the School Improvement Plan. Baldridge concepts employed throughout model

2. Our Focus • This proposal focuses on the mentoring opportunities that might be utilized to support our School Improvement Plan (S.I.P.)

3. Why Mentor? • Research has proven that mentoring works. In 1995, a Public/Private Ventures study of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America showed that young people with mentors were: • 46 percent less likely to start using drugs; • 27 percent less likely to start drinking alcohol; • 53 percent less likely to skip school; • 37 percent less likely to skip a class; and • 33 percent less likely to hit someone.

4. Why Mentor Continued … • A 1991 study of the first five years of the Norwalk (Conn.) in-school mentoring program found that: • 87 percent of mentored students improved their attendance at school; • 92 percent reported improved self-confidence; • 96 percent showed greater cooperation in class; • 91 percent improved their level of responsibility; and • 84 percent completed more tasks. 

5. What is a Mentor?

6. Introduction The Mentoring Committee Members Andy Brown Sara Beverungtun Dirk Cauley Linda Crabtree Kevin Maxwell Micah Wiggins Carol Goddard Lee Swantkowski Anye Lang Bill Griffiths Sue Amos Tammy Mayo Lisa Sorenson Elly Yuspa Attendance Sect Randy Alton Gonzalo Quiroga

7. Mentoring Committee Objectives Identify existing organizational strands that naturally facilitate the WJ mentoring program Set-up a logical coordinated system to help mentors monitor mentee performance Identify timelines,resources, and revision points to implement mentor program Establish a Recognition program for mentors/mentee Follow School Improvement Plan and Baldridge Model

8. Strand 1: Existing Programs ESOL Department Liaison: Andy Brown Academic Support Team Liaison: Sara Beverugton School-Based Alternative Program Lee Swantlowski

9. Strand 1: Existing Programs-Extracurricular Activities Intramural Basketball Liaison: Bill Griffiths Athletics: Liaison: Sue Amos Clubs/ Extracurricular Activities Liaison: Carol Goddard

10. Strand 2: Mentee Referral- Guidance Referrals from parent conferences Referrals from interims Process: On-going; weekly e-mail update from Mentoring Committee to Guidance Staff for referrals

11. Strand 2: Mentee Referral Process • Self Referral • Parent Referral • Staff Referral • Security Team Referrals

12. Strand 3: AdministrationReferrals Collaborate with Guidance on ‘best’ practice for assigning mentors for students on ineligible list. Review ‘progress sheets’ from Club Sponsors, athletics, extracurricular activities (at interim and 9 week grading period) Review ‘progress sheets/updates from School-Based Alternative,ESOL, and Academic Support Team (at interim and 9 week grading period per grade level administrator).

13. Strand 3: Administration Referrals Cont… Ineligible list---confer with Guidance regarding Best Strategy (TBD) Thursday evening outreach to parents from 6 to 8 p.m.

14. Strand 4: Student Role SGA Liaison: Micah Wiggins Meets with students to review school-wide objectives/vision statement/ improvement plan Timeline:on-going SGA meeting (see Baldridge in Education-students as stakeholders) http://baldrigeineducation.org/overview.html

15. Strand 4: Student Role Continued… • Goals-Vision Statement-School Improvement Plan conveyed on Walter Johnson Television broadcast. Other forms of media considered including the Pitch and BigTrain (for Parents)

16. Strand 5: Attendance • Meet with Attendance Secretary to identify students that have excessive absences • Develop protocol to contact parents students to address attendance concerns including notifying mentoring committee.

17. Strand 6: Technology • Contact User Support Specialist to determine any ‘Best Practices’ • Brainstorm use of technology including student performance, attendance,interim information, and educating staff regarding mentoring protocols/handbook

18. Strand 7: Tutoring Resources • Peer Counseling • National Honor Society Tutoring • EduCorps/ Designated Hitter • Spanish National Honor Society • Black Student Union • Latin Honor Society • Set-up ‘new’ lunch time tutoring options

19. Strand 8: Private Sector • Walter Johnson identify a local business to participate in a mentoring program

20. Strand 9: Departments and Instructional Council (I.C.) • Review of Individual Department Goals to be in concert with S.I.P. • Establish timeline of updates • Review S.I.P. during each I.C. monthly meeting • Discussion of S.I.P. during all Department/Faculty Meetings

21. What This Means All groups at Walter Johnson are working toward the same goal…the S.I.P. Every opportunity to monitor student performance will be identified with the expectation that the every conceivable strata will be used to implement a mentoring program through classroom identification, special programs, clubs, organizations extracurricular activities, and outside agencies/local business will assist in the process

22. Mentoring Handbook A mentoring handbook with suggested activities at appropriate time intervals will be posted on-line and provided to assist staff with mentoring.

23. Recognition • Recognizing Mentor and Mentee efforts is a critical component of the Walter Johnson Mentoring Program. Therefore, Speakers, Award Ceremony, and Staff Recognition will be explored by Recognition Steering Committee.

24. Next Steps Request information from appropriate staff as identified in the model designating timelines and checkpoints by calendar dates * Disseminate Mentoring Handbook Establish Recognition Program protocols

25. http://baldrigeineducation.org/overview.html (From http/baldridgeineducation) Core values are the basic principles that not only bind an organization together but also, define what an organization deems important. While mission, vision, policies, and strategies need to be evaluated and refined overtime, core values are timeless and remain intact during good times and bad. They must be understood, embraced, and shared by everyone in the organization. They shape and influence the everyday decisions and actions of leaders, management, and staff.

26. Possible Resources (many resources speak to private sector or teacher to teacher mentoring) The Mentor Training Curriculum.A comprehensive guide for training mentors, includes training outlines and handouts.(1-800-272-8306; Order#374; $29.95 plus shipping) How to Be a Great Mentor.Comprehensive news and training guide produced by The National Mentoring Partnership, Kaplan Educational Centers and Newsweek magazine. (individual copies free: 302-831-0520; bulk copies 1-800-272-8306; Order #210; $5.95 plus shipping, bulk discount available)

27. The End