APS Staff, 

Our mentoring program last year was a great success! Over 800 students were mentored by Aurora Public Schools staff members last year. Our students benefitted greatly from having these wonderful role models. This year I challenge us to mentor 2000 students.

I encourage every one of you to accept the challenge of selecting one student and serving as a mentor during the 2008-2009 school year-if accepted, this challenge is entirely voluntary. I believe that the benefits reaped from this endeavor will be priceless for our students and for every APS employee. We all can relate to one or more adults who had a tremendous impact on our lives when we were young. If you accept the challenge to mentor, please work with your supervisors to secure approval so that mentoring does not infringe upon your professional duties and responsibilities.

I am confident that the benefits of mentoring will be rewarding for you and beneficial for our students. Below are guidelines to assist you as you begin your service mentoring a student.

• Mentors may work with students at any grade level. You should consider proximity of the student’s school to your work site, so that meetings with the student at the school will be convenient for you.
• Mentors are asked to focus on students who have attendance issues. Principals will work with you to identify possible students for mentoring.
• Mentors are encouraged to meet with students on a weekly basis. The length of the meeting is up to the mentor. Ensure that the time spent together provides adequate time to talk about things that are important to the student and to build a relationship that is built on trust.
• Introduce yourself to parents/guardians via a home visit and enlist their support. Collaborate with them around goal setting so that they have had the opportunity to contribute their ideas to your work. In some situations it may also be appropriate to plan for their ongoing involvement.
• It is not necessary to take your student off campus; however, if you desire to do so, be sure that you have written parent permission. You may use the attached form. Also ensure that you have adequate insurance on your vehicle if you are transporting the student. You may download the appropriate form from the following link: http://www.apsnet/warehouse/whsforms/1131.pdf (accessible only from a district-connected computer). This form must be completed and returned to Risk Management prior to transporting a student. You may contact Risk Management at (303) 365-7816 X28412 to inquire about the insurance requirements or with any other questions.
• It may be difficult to find a quiet, private place to talk inside the school. You may choose to take a walk outside around campus. Always inform someone in the front office of your whereabouts and sign in at the front desk for all visits.
• Please be sure that your meetings with students do not pull them from instructional time. You should discuss this with the Truancy Specialist, teachers or the principal. Schools will let you know if meeting with students during specials/electives is possible.
• We realize not every volunteer will be a teacher or counselor. We encourage you to use good judgment in trying to find ways to help the student succeed. If you need help, don’t hesitate to call on the principal or administrative staff.
• It is important to be consistent. If you commit to mentor a student, please be sure to follow through and be reliable. Mentors are asked make a commitment to mentoring the student for a minimum of one semester and, if possible, for one school year. By being reliable, showing that we care about our students’ success, and offering them support, we can truly help more and more students achieve success.

We have a tremendous opportunity to go beyond our daily work and make an additional difference for students. If you are interested in being a mentor, please complete the attached form. Thank you for your commitment in being a Pacesetter for the students in Aurora Public Schools. 

• Download the Mentor Request Form (pdf)

Sincerely,

John L. Barry
Superintendent