Harrisburg School District Superintendent Eric Turman speaks at an informational session in the district’s Lincoln Administration building.
The Harrisburg School District is trying something new to get community members involved in supporting students.
At an informational meeting on Tuesday morning, district Superintendent Eric Turman presented a new mentorship program to connect students with one-on-one assistance.
“The need for mentoring in Harrisburg is a great need,” Turman said. “We are going to look to provide a network of mentors who are willing to step up to the plate.”
The program comes in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region and the LivingWell Institute, which provides student support services to the district.
At the meeting, Turman showed incident, suspension and academic data, explaining the mentorship program as a way to address some of the rising issues in these categories.
Big Brothers Big Sisters has seen mentorship relationships improve students’ attendance, academics and behavior among other things, according to communications and marketing manager Krystina Shultz. The key is addressing individual needs based on each student, she said.
While the district has the capacity to support 500 mentors, their goal for this coming year is for 100 mentors to sign up for the program. Mentors will be matched with students in grades three through 10.
Turman encouraged interested community members to reach out to the district as they hope to begin the program in January. Once the district gathers a team of mentors, it will hold another, more in-depth, informational meeting. Big Brothers Big Sisters will also meet with mentors and provide training and support.
As of now, the district is asking mentors to dedicate around five hours a month to meet with their student during school hours and possibly through after-school programming. They also ask that mentors commit to at least one year in the program.
Big Brothers Big Sisters noted that they have bilingual staff members who can provide training and support to non-English speakers.
Experience mentoring isn’t necessary and volunteers don’t need to have “fancy” credentials or professionals, according to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“Anyone who is willing to spend time and commit to being with the child—that’s the biggest thing,” Shultz said. “Sometimes just being there and listening is all a child is looking for.”
Students can be referred to the mentorship program by teachers, counselors, parents or other adults, according to Turman.
Additionally, the district will hold another informational session about the mentorship program on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Lincoln Administration Building or on Zoom.
The program is just one of several new initiatives that the district has introduced to address a recent uptick in violent incidents in its schools.
“It’s incumbent upon all of us to work collaboratively in order to be part of the solution,” he said. “We need your help.”
For those interested in being a mentor or receiving more information, email jdrayton@hbgsd.us. To learn more, visit the district website.
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