PAL Mentoring

The John M. Clayton Mentoring Program began at Frankford Elementary School in the spring of 1999 and used the HOSTS (Help One Student to Succeed) program, which focused on academic support. In 2007, it was renamed the PAL Mentoring Program (A Positive Approach to Learning). During the summer of 2010, Frankford Elementary School was relocated to the refurbished John M. Clayton Building and renamed accordingly. This year, our mentoring program is made possible by funding received through the Carl M. Freeman Foundation FACES grant program, Sussex County Council grant program, and Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation.

For the 2016-2017 school year, we have approximately 60 mentors meeting with over 90 students. Mentors meet with their assigned students during a specified day and time each week. Each mentor meets with his/her student during an approximate 45 minute time period. Some mentors meet with two students, which requires the mentor to stay for about 1 ½ hours. The mentor is given a folder for each student with that day’s materials. The materials are provided by the Mentoring Coordinator and are chosen to support the skills needed for success in the classroom. Some of the mentees are below grade level in their reading or reading comprehension abilities. Other students are placed in the program to have a positive adult role model in their lives. New mentors are required to satisfactorily complete an application process and attend a training session. All mentors are required to have criminal background checks on a regular basis.

Mentors do not need any special talents or skills, just a positive attitude and the desire and dedication to help students achieve academic success. For more information about our Mentoring Program, please call our Mentoring Coordinator, Lisa Ashman, at 732-1520.