The Mentoring Program

Become Involved... You are the best gift a school can get!

The Bay City Independent School District's Mentoring Program began as a pilot program on two campuses in 1991. Today, the program exists on all seven BCISD campuses.
There are many barriers that students face which limit their ability to succeed. Students may have language or economic hardships, as well as a lack of resources, such as emotional, mental or physical support systems.
The BCISD Mentoring Program is designed to provide mentors for selected students who desperately need individualized attention in order to succeed to their full potential.
By providing a positive, one-on-one relationship with an adult role model, just one hour a week, the district has experienced mentored children having more positive feelings about themselves, their classmates, and the value of education.
The Bay City Independent School District is committed to the district-wide effort to keep these children from becoming dropout statistics.

Benefits...

... To you and your organization: Rewarding and satisfying experiences for your employees; An investment in tomorrow's leader, employees and consumers; Visibility and recognition for valued community service; Personal satisfaction from making a contribution; Greater understanding of the quality and needs of our public schools

... To the students: Higher self-esteem; Identification with successful role models; Increased motivation resulting in improved achievement and attendance

... To the teachers: Improved morale; Assistance in special areas; Fewer discipline concerns; Improved classroom grades

... To the community: Strong public school system; Reduction in the number of dropouts; Well-prepared work force; Increased civic cooperation

The Starfish Story

One day, walking along the shore, a teacher and a student came upon a beach littered with thousands of storm-tossed starfish, writhing and dying in the hot sun. Without a word, the teacher scooped up a starfish and gently deposited it in the waves. Overwhelmed by the sheer multitude of the suffering creatures, the student just stood and watched as the teacher picked up another starfish, and yet another, releasing them into the healing safety of the cool, green water. At last the student spoke, "Teacher, what is the use in even trying? There are too many. How can you make a difference?" The teacher lifted another starfish from the burning sand and carried it into the surf to set it free, then turned to the student, "I Made A Difference To That One."

The teacher's actions represent something special in each of us - the ability to make a difference! Each of us has the power to help others reach their goals.

How do I become a Mentor?

Complete a standard profile sheet
Receive a background check
Attend a short, informative training
A commitment of one hour a week

Mentors are given the opportunity to select their preference of campus, day to mentor, time to mentor, gender of the child, ethnicity of the child, as well as the age of the child they wish to mentor.

One hundred years from now, It will not matter- What kind of car I drove, What kind of house I lived in, How much money I had in My bank account, Nor what my clothes looked like,

But the world may be a little better- Because I was important in The life of a child.

For more information, to volunteer, or to schedule a presentation to your business or organization about The Mentoring Program contact:

Bay City Independent School District
Community Education
2619 8th Street
Cherry Elementary Campus
(979) 245-1604

Matagorda Area Network Contact Information
Voice: 979-245-1017
E-mail: sconnect@trip.net

Last Updated: March 04, 2008