By Mark Boshnack
Staff Writer
Many students at Otego Elementary School
are having fun while learning important lessons
in a once-a-month program started this
school year, several said Friday.
The monthly mentoring program involves a
35-minute session with students in kindergarten
through fifth grade, Principal
Tim Ryan said. Each group
of five or six is assigned one of
44 staff members to work with
for the year, other than their
regular teacher, he said.
By working on various crafts
and character-education projects,
staff and students learn
about cooperation and sharing
while making a “positive connection” with another
adult in school, he said.
A couple of groups said Friday that they
agreed with the principal’s assessment of the
program.
Five fifth-grade boys were working with second-
grade teacher Cindy Carpentier and her
student teacher, carving pumpkins.
“I think its a great idea,” Carpentier said as
the boys talked and worked.
Dylan McAdams, 10, brought the pumpkins
from his family garden. He said he likes the
program because “it provides an opportunity
to do something different.”
“It’s a great opportunity to work with her
again,” said 10-year-old Eric Mosher, who was
a student of Carpentier when he was in second
grade. Eleven-year-old Michael Goodspeed
said he was new to the district.
“It’s a good idea because it is fun,” he said,
adding that the activity gave him the chance
to talk to an adult in school besides
his regular teacher.
Another group was meeting
with the school nurse, Shelly
Havens. The group of five
fourth-grade girls was making
trick-or-treat bags.
“I think it’s good that they
are meeting another person on
the staff,” beside their regular teacher, Havens
said.
“It gives them someone else they can talk
to,” Havens said.
“I think it’s a good idea,” said 10-year-old
Mary Wyckoff. Not only does she get to make
things and have snacks, but “you get to learn
about other people,” she said.
“These people are all friends,” said 9-year old
Rayven Golinski, “so we feel comfortable
sharing our feelings.”
