Mentoring program helping improve student performance at Norwayne Middle School
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on May 2, 2007 1:47 PM
A mentoring program at Norwayne Middle School is helping students improve grades and increase class participation.
"Cobra Challenge" was established after the school's winter break. Principal Mario Re, along with the school leadership team, had teachers identify students with such situations as low self-esteem, poor attendance, little motivation or personal problems outside of school.
A Cobra Challenge Team was formed for each grade, 6-8. The three teams meet for about 90 minutes every three weeks. Staff members from each grade level are responsible for creating activities to motivate the students and create team-building skills. Some of the activities that have been used include scavenger hunts, ice-breaker exercises, survival obstacle courses, motivational video clips and discussion, refreshments and competitions.
The results have been outstanding, Re said.
"The students' grades have improved and their class participation has increased. While many of the students were cautious and reserved at the beginning of the first meeting, many of them now are constantly asking when the next Cobra Challenge Day is," he said. "The students now have a smile on their faces as they walk around the campus. Their self-esteem and their attendance have been positively impacted."