March 5th, 2015

Abraham Erb’s Leadership and Mentoring Program (LAMP) is off to an awesome start! We are so excited about the number of grade 5-6 students that stepped forward to be mentors for our LAMP program this year.

Peer mentoring provides a structure for positive student role models to develop relationships with and mentor our younger students. They eat lunch together once a week and then do an activity that the mentor has planned for them!

The first few weeks we took time for the students to get to know each other, find out interests and things they have in common. This is a very important part of the program as this is where the relationship begins. Our mentors have been doing a great job planning crafts, bringing in games, and planning activities to do in the gym that both the mentor and mentee have enjoyed.

The best part is seeing the new connections developing between our junior students and primary students. Peer mentoring is beneficial to both mentors and mentees, as it builds relationships that provide a stronger connection to the school and create a system of support and belonging for all students.

Recently one of our mentors was walking down the hall. His mentee saw him and was so happy to see him! They said “Hi” to each other and then the mentee said he couldn’t find his glove. The mentor stopped, helped him look for it, and then took him to the lost and found where they found the glove! What a great moment to see–two students who didn’t know each other before Christmas, now helping and supporting each other. Both the mentors and mentees benefit from these interactions!

The LAMP program at Abraham Erb reinforces and extends our school’s commitment to creating a safe, caring and inclusive culture.

“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” ~John Crosby

Thank you to everyone that has been involved to make this program a success!

~Contributed by Mrs. Summers, Kindergarten teacher