MANSFIELD - A mentoring program through the North End Community Improvement Collaborative is preparing Mansfield students for success.
Executive Director Deanna West-Torrence addressed the Mansfield City Schools Board of Education at its meeting Tuesday to talk about the mentoring program, which NECIC funds on its own.
"We train mentors from different sectors of the community," she said.
The initial goal was to pair individual students with adult mentors.
"We thought we would have that traditional match," West-Torrence said. "It did not work for whatever reason. That connection was not made. If it doesn't work, change what you're doing."
NECIC opted for group mentoring, called mini-modules. They last for 10 weeks and cover topics ranging from gardening to digital music production.
"That's really taken off," West-Torrence said.
For three years in a row, for example, students in the art group have been able to sell their work during Small Business Saturday.
Mansfield residents can see other fruits of that labor with the play "The Black Cyclone," which will take place at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26, as well as at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27, at Mansfield Senior High School.
Playwright Jim Stoner reached out to school officials, saying he wanted to work with kids.
Board vice president Renda Cline thanked West-Torrence for the efforts.
"I really appreciate the work that you do," she said. "It's absolutely invaluable to our district. All the things you're teaching our children are things that our schools can't necessarily focus on."
In his report, Superintendent Brian Garverick told the board about an appearance next Monday by national speaker Tom Thelen, who will talk about anti-bullying. He will address freshman students during the day and parents at 7 p.m.
"It's all about changing that climate and culture, so our kids feel safe," Garverick said.
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