FLOW Mentoring FAQs
What is the purpose of FLOW mentoring?
The mission of the Future Leaders of the World (FLOW) Mentoring Program is to foster positive mentoring relationships between students in St. Mary’s County Public Schools and members of the community and to provide supported, safe, and inspiring environments in which these matches can cultivate the potential of each youth.
Why mentoring?
Because it works! Educational research has shown that mentoring is extremely effective in increasing academic performance and positive social interactions. And you asked for it! The most common request to the Department of Academic Support has been for a quality mentoring program and we’ve worked hard to develop one that will meet the needs of our students.
How does FLOW mentoring operate?
FLOW Mentoring carefully matches each student with a mentor who meets at his or her school for one and a half hours every week throughout the school year. With the support of a school Site Leader, mentors and students follow an individualized curriculum to help build social, emotional, and academic skills.
Currently FLOW is running programs in every elementary school in the system.
Who is responsible for the program?
FLOW Mentoring has a full-time Project Manager and a part-time Assistant Manager, plus staff from the Department of College and Career Readiness with expertise in mentoring devoting significant time to program operation and oversight. In addition, each school has a Site Leader (a designated teacher, counselor, etc.) who is responsible for identifying mentees, recruiting mentors from the school and surrounding community, and planning and overseeing the weekly mentor/mentee sessions at their home school.
How are students selected?
At each school, the Site Leader consults with teachers, counselors, administrators, the nurse, and other staff to develop a list of students that are most likely to benefit from the program.
How will students be notified that they have been selected to participate in FLOW?
Each student will receive a letter of congratulations as well as a permission form to be filled out by their parent/s which allows them to participate in the program.
Who are the mentors? How will they be selected?
Mentors will be business professionals, retired professionals, staff members, military personnel, secondary students, college students, and other caring and responsible community members. They will be recruited by the school Site Leaders and the Program Manager.
When will the mentoring take place? Where?
Mentoring will take place after school once a week for an hour and a half at the student’s home school. This will ensure that students will not miss any part of their academic day.
How will students get home?
Students will be provided with free bus transportation home after their weekly mentoring session.
How can I become a part of FLOW Mentoring?
Contact your local school or Sarah Tyson, FLOW Mentoring Program Manager, at the address below and ask about how you, your organization, or your child can become a part of FLOW.
Sarah R. Tyson
FLOW Mentoring Program Manager
Office location: Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center
24005 Point Lookout Road
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: 301-475-0242 ext. 148
Fax: 301-475-0245
srtyson@smcps.org