Published: October 24, 2009 12:00 am      

On the Bright Side: Mentors make connections at Otego Elementary

By Mark Boshnack
Staff Writer

Many students at Otego Elementary School are having fun while learning important lessons in a once-a-month program started this school year, several said Friday.

The monthly mentoring program involves a 35-minute session with students in kindergarten through fifth grade, Principal Tim Ryan said. Each group of five or six is assigned one of 44 staff members to work with for the year, other than their regular teacher, he said.

By working on various crafts and character-education projects, staff and students learn about cooperation and sharing while making a “positive connection” with another adult in school, he said.

A couple of groups said Friday that they agreed with the principal’s assessment of the program.

Five fifth-grade boys were working with second- grade teacher Cindy Carpentier and her student teacher, carving pumpkins. “I think its a great idea,” Carpentier said as the boys talked and worked.

Dylan McAdams, 10, brought the pumpkins from his family garden. He said he likes the program because “it provides an opportunity to do something different.”

“It’s a great opportunity to work with her again,” said 10-year-old Eric Mosher, who was a student of Carpentier when he was in second grade. Eleven-year-old Michael Goodspeed said he was new to the district.

“It’s a good idea because it is fun,” he said, adding that the activity gave him the chance to talk to an adult in school besides his regular teacher.

Another group was meeting with the school nurse, Shelly Havens. The group of five fourth-grade girls was making trick-or-treat bags.

“I think it’s good that they are meeting another person on the staff,” beside their regular teacher, Havens said.

“It gives them someone else they can talk to,” Havens said.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said 10-year-old Mary Wyckoff. Not only does she get to make things and have snacks, but “you get to learn about other people,” she said.

“These people are all friends,” said 9-year old Rayven Golinski, “so we feel comfortable sharing our feelings.”