Wednesday, January 8, 2003
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Wednesday, January 8, 2003 |
Students help students feel at homeA new program is helping first-time students at McIntosh High quickly adjust to unfamiliar surroundings. Through the school's Children at Risk in Education (CARE) program, 32 student ambassadors are now on hand to help newcomers become aquatinted with the school, its activities and student body. Co-sponsor Suzanne Spatz says the McIntosh Ambassador program was formed because of the need to make new students feel more welcome in a school where the large enrollment can make it easy for someone to get lost in the crowd. "Now with the assistance of our well trained ambassadors, new students can quickly be directed to clubs, athletics and extra curricular activities. There will never be a first day without someone to sit with in the lunchroom for our new students. Our ambassadors are ready to serve," said Spatz. Approximately 100 students applied to become ambassadors when the program was first announced. Spatz, along with program co-sponsor Mary Ann Velasco, interviewed the applicants and chose the ambassadors, eight from each grade level, based on their responses as well as interests, academics and attendance. Students selected for the program were required to attend an all-day training session one Saturday in November. During training they learned all there was to know about McIntosh High, how to give a tour to a new student, how to help new students adjust to life at the school and how to become involved in activities. They were also trained on how to handle students who might have a negative attitude about having to move to a new school. "These students gave up a whole Saturday and not once did they complain about being here. We have a wonderful group of students who are going to help make a difference in people's lives," added Spatz. New students coming to the school are asked to fill out a personal interest information sheet that is matched to those completed by the ambassadors. Spatz tries to pair students as closely as possible with ambassadors who have similar interests. Once introduced, the pair tours the school, picks up the new student's class schedule and eats lunch together. Ambassadors also call their students at home in the evening as well as invite them to various school functions and activities. "We have received calls from parents of new students who have raved over the difference it has made to their child. It also makes our student ambassadors feel so much better about themselves knowing that what they are doing really makes a difference in someone's life," said Spatz. In addition to welcoming new students to McIntosh, the ambassadors do a community service project each month. In November, the students took Thanksgiving goodie bags to Southland Nursing Home in Peachtree City. This month they went Christmas Caroling at the nursing home as well as took goodie bags and hand-made ornaments to the residents.
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