Harbor Beach Launches New Peer Mentor Program

On Thursday, September 17, Harbor Beach Community High School launched its new HB P.A.S.S. (promoting academic and social success) peer mentor program it adopted from Yale High School. HB P.A.S.S groups 3 to 8 freshmen with 2 to 3 seniors. Mentor groups meet at least once a week during WIN time with the purpose of building relationships of friendship, support, mentorship, and leadership. Each week students will participate in activities such as icebreakers, anti-bullying programs, goal setting, tutoring, and senior-to-freshman advising.

Last week all seniors met for an informational training meeting where they received training on how to be effective mentors and the importance of taking the role as a mentor seriously. The program was introduced to all students the first week of school during a school wide assembly where Mrs. Pfaff, High School Math/Science teacher, explained that we were implementing this to provide additional support to our incoming students, with the potential for the program to expand to other grades as needs arise.

Surely, there were some nerves from freshman and seniors because of the unknowns and uncertainties, yet once students participated in their first icebreaker activity led by the seniors, there were smiles, laughs, and friendships forming all around the room. This program is a direct result of Harbor Beach Community Schools seeking to further meet the ever-changing and ever-increasing social-emotional and academic needs of students. We believe this program will have a great impact on all who participate and that it has the potential to impact future generations as well.