Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Schools

J. D. Floyd mentoring program produces Pride

Resource teachers show students formerly in hot water how to make appropriate choices and the rewards that follow.

By MARYAN PELLAND
Published January 25, 2007

About 40 J. D. Floyd students are learning it feels better to make appropriate choices.

A club called Dolphin Pride, the brainchild of assistant principal Nancy Kesselring, is aiming to make it easier for children to avoid getting in trouble - and paying the price for it.

Kesselring said every assistant principal's job description includes effectively managing behavioral issues. Thinking about that, she decided to try visible, positive reinforcement, and Dolphin Pride was born.

In August, Kesselring chose 47 students whose behavior frequently landed them in her office. She asked a dozen "resource" teachers to lead mentor groups of four to five students.

Formal invitations to join the Dolphin Pride club went home for parent approval. A few families declined, but most parents were eager to try something new.

Joan LoBianco, a second-grade reading-resource teacher, helped from the beginning. She mentors five students, mixing creative opportunities, social support and a sympathetic ear.

Dolphin Pride members are first- through fourth-graders. Three - Maegan Daniels, 8; Jacob Ross, 7; and Jorden Wood, 9 - say they feel proud of their progress. "I don't get any more disciplines," Maegan said. "It feels good."

Jorden says he feels less angry and believes people have noticed. "The teachers look at me a different way because my behavior is different."

"I see many more smiles from him," LoBianco said.

Jacob said, "I have more time now, at school and at home. More time with my mom because I act different." Jacob also said he enjoys the positive rewards.

Together, club members have seen their new outlooks earn them in-school parties, new friends and plenty of compliments.

Groups meet weekly. They open with a compliment followed by a discussion of something that will come up during the week. Members give each other advice and consider alternate ways to handle challenges. Mentors might touch base during the week by dropping by the school yard or chatting in the hall with a member or two.

Maegan, Jacob, Jorden and other Pride members recently painted winter scenes on school windows. Passers-by expressed appreciation for the work, calling the students "artists" and admiring their talent. The kids beamed with Dolphin Pride.

That activity, orchestrated by LoBianco, had a major impact on members. Their eyes light up when they talk about it, about how much fun it was.

Membership benefits also include, said LoBianco, "knowing there's someone on campus who cares about you. Help and encouragement from other members."

Kesselring said she might choose some of this year's Pride members to help mentor next year's group. That's an exciting prospect for youngsters who once found themselves in hot water on a weekly basis.

Now, they're role models. That's Dolphin Pride.

[Last modified January 25, 2007, 06:47:15]