Transition to High School:

Upperclassmen Leading the Way

Presented by:

Dolores Fischer
FMP Coordinator
and
FMP Student Mentors
Freshman Mentor Program
Mentoring - The Act of Giving
F M P
Our Friendly Meeting Place
Mentoring
The Act of Giving

The FMP Student Mentor
is giving each freshman:

A gift of knowledge
A gift of friendship
A gift of experience

A TRIBUTE TO OUR
FMP STUDENT MENTORS
If you could only sense how important you
are to the lives of those you meet; how
important you can be to the people you may
never dream of. There is something of
yourself that you leave at every meeting
with another person.

- From The World According to Mr. Rodgers
WHAT IS FMP????
The freshman mentor program
provides each freshman with a
supportive environment that
allows a smooth adjustment
from junior high to high school,
both academically and socially.
Advisory that meets 4 days a week
On-going orientation to high school
A comfortable environment to grow in high
school
Counselors monitor each freshman's academic
progress
Constant announcements of school activities
Academic Resources through faculty advisor,
FMPs, and subject study groups.
FMP provides each freshman with:
History of FMP
1990-91 - Pilot Homeroom
Freshman Advisory with two
teachers.
1991-92 - Expand Advisory to
more teachers
1992-94 - Continue Homeroom
program to see the lasting affects
of FMP
February -1994 visit Highland
Park High Schools APF program
March -1994 - Proposal for
Freshman Mentor Program to
Board of Ed using Highland Park
model to include student mentors
1994-95 - Pilot FMP Advisories
with students
1995-96 - Expand FMP to the
whole freshman class
1996-97 - Implement Freshman
Orientation Day

1997-98 - We decide to pilot 6
advisories with 3 student
mentors in each, rather than two.
1998-99 - Expand Program to
include more FMPs and
advisories
1999 - 2000 - Introduced Board of
Directors to help maintain control
over the growing program
2000 -2001 Expand all
advisories to 3 FMPs in each
2001-2002 Pilot 4 to 5 FMPs
within each advisory
2002-Present Improve FMP to
Freshman ratio, eventually
growing to over 240 FMPs
strong.
FMP Faculty Leaders
DIRECTOR OF
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
FMP DIRECTOR
Three FMP coordinators
observe, evaluate, and
monitor advisory activities
FMP Student Leaders
FMP ADVISORY
LEADERS
FMP EXECUTIVE
BOARD
TWO PRESIDENTS VICE PRESIDENTS
Board of Directors
Leaders that organize
FMP events
3 FMP Mentors
Advisory team
* = Dean and social Worker meet their freshmen on Orientation day.
COUNSELOR, DEAN*,
SOCIAL WORKER*
FACULTY ADVISOR
STUDENT MENTORS (3-4)
Advisory Team
Student Mentor
Faculty Advisor Counselor
Advisory Team
The Faculty Advisor:
Provides leadership coaching for
Student Mentors
Supervises advisory
(satisfies contract for supervision)
Helps organize/participate in activities
Performs administrative duties
Provides a resource for all students
Advisory Team

The Guidance Counselor:
Provides an opportunity to develop a
rapport with their freshman
Talks about necessary topics with
students as a group
Allows time to answer questions for
students
A Week In Advisory
Monday - Small Group Day
Tuesday -
Meet with your counselor
Wednesday -
Homework/Study Day
Thursday - Activity Day
Special Events
August -
Freshman Orientation
Freshman dance
Guidebook Test
Co-curricular Education
September -
~Becoming A Patriot~
Superintendent speaks to freshman
Introduction to technology
October -
Homecoming
Discuss earning privileges at
Stevenson
November -
Principal Visits
Career Cruising
December -
The Giving Month
January -
Preparing For Finals
Registering for classes - four year
plan
February -
Pre-Driving program with police
Odyssey
March
Co-curricular Fair
April -
World of Difference
May-
8th grade dance
8th grade transition program
Advisory Awards Day
FMP provides each freshman with:
A comprehensive transition program
during their 8th grade year which
includes:
Parents and future freshmen come to
Stevenson for Registration - February
Co-curricular fair - March
Meeting with FMP student advisors at
junior high schools - May
Freshman Orientation day - August
Co-Curricular Fair
In march, The
Stevenson
Student
Activities
invites parents
and our future
freshman to
learn about
Stevensons
clubs(over 100)
Intramurals,
and Sports
Teams.
Spring Eighth Grade
Transition Program
FMPs go to Jr. High Schools
In small groups FMPs talk to their
future freshmen about Stevenson
High Schools:
Academics
Co- Curricular Opportunities
Social Aspects
Support Services
Freshman Orientation day
FRESHMAN ORIENTATION DAY
The day before the
official first day of school.

Two FMPs ride each school bus and greet
freshmen at each bus stop(56 bus routes)

FMPs escort students to the Sports Center
to pick up their schedule and direct them to
their advisory classroom.


FRESHMAN ORIENTATION
SCHEDULE
7:30 A.M. - 8:00 A.M - Receive class schedule, locker
card,and ID (if taken in summer school) in the sports center.
Freshmen then report to their Advisory.
8:00 A.M. - 10:15 A.M. - Advisory Activities, ID/Yearbook
Pictures, Tours of the school in small groups with the FMPs. Visit
key places in school (i.e. lockers, gyms, lunchrooms, etc.).
10:15 A.M. - 11:15 A.M. - Welcome Assembly
11:30 A.M. - 12:30 P. M. - Meet with Dean, Counselor and
Social Worker
12:30 P.M. - 1:30 P.M. - Lunch
1: 30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. - Mini School Schedule*
*Schedule has 5 minute periods with 8 minute passing periods
Becoming a Freshman Mentor
Step 1 - Application:
Part 1 - Student Profile

Part 2 - Resume

Part 3 - Ice breaker activity*
Activities we use to develop our Activity Resource
Books
Part 4 - Essay Questions*
*- See Example in Resource Section
Becoming a Freshman Mentor
Step 2 - Evaluation:
Faculty Evaluation of Applicants -
Are they
Positive role models
Willing to lead others - Responsible to manage a group
Do they have
Communication skills
Respect for Diverse ideas and personalities
Enthusiasm and Motivation
FMP Directors -
Academics
Attendance
Responsible Behavior
Becoming a Freshman Mentor

Step 3 - Interviews:
Out of about 450 applicants,
only 50%-60% receive an
interview with senior mentors
and board of directors
2nd Year Mentors
Reapply
This includes a student profile, resume, activity,
and answers to essay questions
Faculty evaluations
Faculty re-evaluate applicants
Counselor, FMP Faculty Advisor,
and FMP Directors evaluations
Evaluate FMP student mentors
effectiveness as a leader,a positive role
model, and a responsible student.
FMP Student Mentor Training
June Last day of school
Orientation to FMP program by learning about our history,
traditions, expectations, & our passion to help freshmen.
Summer - FMP Student Mentor
Advisory Pairings
FMPs meet to begin to develop advisory team dynamics
Dateline FMP ~ when the FMP team meets on a social level
August - 2 days
Team building through games and activities
Motivational Speaker - Mike Smith from Differences Makers
works with FMPs to develop their mentoring skills
Lunch & Learn
Lunch meetings (once a month) throughout the entire
school year
FMP and the Students
Ultimate Goal
Become that special upperclassman
Rewards
Privilege of being a part of an
internationally recognized mentoring
program and esteemed co-curricular
Opportunity to help others
Develop friendships between you and
your freshmen
FMP and the Students
Benefits of FMP:
Ease freshmans transition into high school
Mentors serve as an easily accessible
resource and role models
Provides a comfortable, friendly
atmosphere
Helps them to meet their peers
Creates instant upperclassman friends
Who benefits more?
They both benefit tremendously

Benefits for All
1. Creates lasting friendships
2. Helps freshmen adjust to the social and learning
environments of high school
3. Upperclassmen have the opportunity to build trusting
relationships
4. Upperclassmen develop their leadership skills
5. Gives upperclassmen the opportunity to have a lasting
impact on their freshman's lives

FMP Student Mentors
are the
STAR MAKERS OF STEVENSON

F M P
Friendly Meeting Place
It takes an adult 7 days to 7 weeks to make an
impact on a students life, but it takes another
student their age or slightly older 7 seconds to
7 minutes to make a difference.
~Anonymous~
LEARN MORE ABOUT FMP
FMP Website
http://www6.district125.k12.il.us/FMP/default.shtml

Contact the
Director of the Freshman Mentor Program
Dolores Fischer
847-634-4000 ext.1673

dfischer@district125.k12.il.us

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