Success Mentoring Program at Brownell STEM Academy:
- There is a distinct need for adult mentors to spend time with Brownell K-2 students. Our students need adults as caring role models to spend time, eat lunch, read with them, or work on math problems, and play games.
- The Brownell Community Education office is looking for volunteer mentors over the age of 18 who are available anytime between 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Note: School lunches are served starting at 11 a.m and ending at 12:30 p.m. Each grade’s lunch period is 30 minutes. There will also be opportunities available during Community Education’s programming starting at 3:30/4 p.m. Monday - Friday. We are also always looking for volunteers to assist with Community Education events and Brownell school events throughout the year.
- We would like our volunteer mentors to be available for their mentees at least 1-2 times a week.
- We’re looking for volunteers involved in all walks of life in Flint: active seniors, community members in their own faith communities, businesses, social service and non-profit organizations, and academic institutions. Volunteers must be at least 18 years. and successfully pass through the Flint Public School Background Check process by submitting an ICHAT form.
- Success mentoring is important: Combat against chronic absenteeism. Chronic absenteeism of students may result in poor academic achievement, increased school truancy, and dropping out of school altogether. * (Weinstein, Lukas, Director of Regional Initiatives, The Children’s Aid Society, National Center for Community Schools, childrensaidssociety.org, March 17, 2017, presentation, Flint, MI.)
- It is also important to look at the various levels of Absenteeism:
- Satisfactory Attendance: Missing less than 5% of school days
- At-risk: Missing between 5-10% of school days
- Chronic Absence: MIssing 10% or more school days.
- Training of mentors will be provided by Brownell Community Education staff: focusing on the needs of specific students and their respective academic and behavioral challenges. Each mentor will be matched with 1 student.
- It is also important to be aware of the following premise behind the Flint Community Education program:
Flint Community Schools - Community Education Initiative Goals:
Crim Fitness Foundation, Partnership Information Form)
- Increased Attendance: Students arrive to school on time, stay all day, and are prepared to learn.
- Improved 3rd Grade Reading levels: Students are reading at their grade level and meeting their college and career readiness benchmarks.
- Increased Graduation Rates: Students are successfully graduating from 12th-grade on-time and are prepared to attend a 2-4 year college, complete an apprenticeship, or perform a year of national service.
- School becomes a resource to the Community: The School provides opportunities for programming and services such as basic needs, health, technology, etc for community members to use.
Please contact cbrentzel@crimamericorps.org for further information.
