With the start of the high school year, Passaic Valley High School’s (PVHS) new peer mentoring program partnered seniors mentors with their freshmen mentees during their first time meeting last Thursday.
"It went very smoothly," said Danielle Vigilante, PVHS guidance counselor. "We believe that this program will ensure that our freshmen will have an easier transition from middle school to high school thanks to their senior classmates."
PVHS Principal John Wallace began the program in conjunction with the guidance department, according to Vigilante.
Interested students entering their senior year needed to complete an application process which included essays on why they want to become peer mentors, detailing why they felt they’d make good role models and assets to their freshmen "mentees." They also pledged to remain alcohol and drug free, including upholding all the high school rules as student leaders.
Kelly Morris of the Student Assistance Counseling (SAC) program, along with Vigilante held a training session for seniors who are participating in this year’s mentor program on the day prior to their initial meeting with their assigned freshmen. Seniors participating will receive five high school activity points. Prior to the meeting, the senior mentors were given an agenda list by the guidance department.
"We prepped our 65 senior mentors taking part in the program with a list to help them go over things during their first meeting with their freshmen group," added Vigilante. "For introductions, we encouraged the mentors to tell their group about themselves, explain the purpose of the program and to answer any questions about how the program works. They were also encouraged to get to know their mentees and find out what particular likes they have in music, food and pop culture."
One senior mentor, Katul Shah, 17, believes strongly in the program and relayed his feelings to his freshmen student group, comprised of Carlos Lopez, 14, Abdel Rahman Issa, 14, Alec H., 14 and Daniel Hilton, 14. After his initial introduction, he asked how they spent their summer and then proceeded to explain to them the purpose of the program.
"I can help you guys with any questions or any advice you may need," he said. "I’m here to help you through the adjustment of freshman year and I want you all to approach me at anytime, even if you see me in the hallway. More importantly, take freshman year seriously by studying and getting involved in the high school’s activities. Your grades from this year really set up your grade point average for the following years so it is an important year."
He also stressed to the group how important it is to get involved with activities.
"Colleges really look at what extra-curricular activities you did as well as academically. They tend to want more of a well-rounded student when they review college applications. I’m really active and manage to stay on first honors. A student’s college application really stands out when it shows that his or her grades were good and took participation in sports, clubs and volunteer work. It shows that a student managed their time wisely."
Katul and his mentees then a had a discussion on which teachers they had, what classes they were taking and what different clubs and activities were available to them.
After their meeting, Vigilante and Morris spoke with all the senior mentors to see how well their first freshmen group session went. They explained that the first meeting was two-fold. First, for the seniors to excite and motivate the freshmen in order to set the tone for them to be successful and secondly, to identify which freshmen may be showing early signs of struggling.
"I equate this to the invasion of Normandy because it’s about 300 freshmen along with 65 senior peer mentors," quipped Vigilante. "You want the freshmen to hit the ground running because they are starting off with a clean slate. You need to talk to them about being organized, their grades, getting involved and each of you seniors as mentors need to bring your wisdom to them."
Many seniors relayed that they received a combination of responses from the freshmen. Some had very talkative and interested freshmen, while some were more despondent.
"You need to make yourselves accessible to your mentees, especially to those you felt were more distant," she added. "Each of you will meet with you group once a month during lunchtime."
Dr. Viktor Joganow, superintendent, praised the program adding that he was confident it was going to make a difference.
"It’s sure to help get their feet wet," he said. "I compliment Mr. Wallace, Ms. Vigilante and Ms. Morris for implementing this program. There is a lot that’s thrown at these new students and they face challenges which could make their adjustment difficult. It’s nice to know that they will have someone who can guide them through these hurdles during their first year here. It was a good thing to have their initial meeting prior to this Friday, when all the grades begin and are present in the building."
