“The GRACE Good Shepherd Mentoring Program has been extremely beneficial to Our Lady of Lourdes. Both students are getting something out of it. The mentor is excited about the opportunity to meet with the younger student and is a good role model for the student regarding how to react to different situations. We have seen recess issues of the student decline quite dramatically.”
The GRACE Good Shepherd Mentoring Program was initiated by James Cullen, GRACE Director of Student Services, and piloted this school year at Our Lady of Lourdes. In the fall, the program will expand to include the Father Allouez, Notre Dame of De Pere, and St. John the Baptist schools. It gives an opportunity for selected students to partner up with an older mentor student to be a big brother/sister by meeting with them once or twice a week for 20-30 minutes at a time. The school principal and school counselor take the lead in choosing students to participate in the program. They share conversation, play games, and the younger student (mentee) can learn from the older student how to positively interact with others and make a connection with peers while also giving the older student (mentor) the opportunity to share their leadership skills and be a friend with the younger student.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8). The school has open enrollment and provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more is to visit their website.
