In the Henrico Citizen's Feb. 4-17, 2010 issue, we are proud to introduce our “Mentoring Matters” initiative, which is designed to encourage individuals, businesses and organizations to spend at least one hour a month mentoring a student in the county.

Below, we have provided information to help you get involved. We hope you’ll Join the Henrico Citizen in making an impact in the lives of Henrico County students!

About This Initiative
The Henrico Citizen is committed to serving Henrico County. We believe there is no better way to ensure that our county remains strong and vibrant in the future than to invest in the success of our students in the present.

In this issue, we are establishing a countywide effort to encourage businesses, organizations and individuals to take an active role in the future of Henrico County by mentoring students. All students, regardless of age, race, economic background or educational aptitude, can benefit from the advice, guidance and support of an adult mentor. Each of us has talents, advice, abilities and life lessons to share with youngsters.

What if each person reading these words spent just one hour in a school each month mentoring a student? Think what a difference we could make!


How You Can Help
There are several ways in which your business, organization or you as an individual can help this effort:

Business Owners – Encourage your employees to spend at least one hour each month mentoring a student at a school. Foster an environment that promotes mentoring to your employees as a company-wide activity and a meaningful way to give back to the community. Post flyers about this initiative on bulletin boards, or e-mail them to employees. (Contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you'd like to receive a flyer.)

Organizations – Is your organization or club seeking a community project? Why not "adopt" a school through mentoring? The only cost is a small commitment of time, and your efforts will leave lasting marks on the schools and students with whom you develop relationships.

Individuals – Contact one of the schools listed below and offer yourself as a mentor. The school system is actively seeking mentors to participate in middle-school and high-school mentoring programs. Mentors also are welcome at elementary schools throughout the county. We’ve listed schools by region – West End, Northside and Eastern Henrico – so please consider contacting a school near your home or your office for more information about how to get involved.

Become a Partner – The Henrico Citizen is seeking business, organization and individual partners to help promote this initiative throughout the community and within their spheres of influence. Participate – and let others know that you're a mentor. We are also seeking businesses willing to donate small prizes to this effort, such as free lunch or dinner coupons, so that we may select at random several participants each month to reward with small tokens of appreciation for their efforts.

Where to Get Involved

Elementary Schools
WEST END
Carver E.S. – 750-2640
Colonial Trail E.S. – 364-0055
Crestview E.S. – 673-3775
Davis E.S. – 527-4620
Echo Lake E.S. – 527-4672
Gayton E.S. – 360-0820
Glen Allen E.S. – 756-3040
Johnson E.S. – 673-3735
Longan E.S. – 527-4640
Maybeury E.S. – 750-2650
Nuckols Farm E.S. – 364-0840
Pemberton E.S. – 750-2660
Pinchbeck E.S. – 750-2670
Ridge E.S. – 673-3745
Rivers Edge E.S. – 935-6760
Shady Grove E.S. – 360-0825
Short Pump E.S. – 360-0812
Skipwith E.S. – 527-4650
Springfield Park E.S. – 527-4630
Three Chopt E.S. – 673-3755
Tuckahoe E.S. – 673-3765
Twin Hickory E.S. – 360-4700

NORTHSIDE
Chamberlayne E.S. – 261-5030
Dumbarton E.S. – 756-3030
Glen Lea E.S. – 228-2725
Greenwood E.S. – 261-2970
Harvie E.S. – 343-7010
Holladay E.S. – 261-5040
Laburnum E.S. – 228-2720
Lakeside E.S. – 261-5050
Longdale E.S. – 261-5095
Ratcliffe E.S. – 343-6535
Trevvett E.S. – 261-5060

EASTERN HENRICO
Adams E.S. – 226-8745
Ashe E.S. – 343-6550
Baker E.S. – 226-8755
Donahoe E.S. – 756-3030
Fair Oaks E.S. – 328-4085
Highland Springs E.S. – 328-4045
Mehfoud E.S. – 795-7020
Montrose E.S. – 226-8765
Sandston E.S. – 328-4055
Seven Pines E.S. – 328-4065
Varina E.S. – 795-7010
Ward E.S. – 795-7030

Middle Schools
WEST END
Byrd M.S. – 750-2630 – "Byrd Peer Building" (Seeks to help students cope with social and academic issues that may hinder them from completing daily tasks)
Mount Vernon M.S. – 527-4660 – "Making Connections Through Mentoring" (Seeks to improve academic performance in math)
Hungary Creek M.S. – 527-2640 – "SOLE Mentoring + Star Spotlight" (Seeks to raise students' individual goals)
Pocahontas M.S. – 364-0830 – "Tall Talk" (Seeks to close the achievement gap for at-risk students by reducing failure rates and truant attendance patterns through mentoring)
Short Pump M.S. – 360-0800 – "Under Our Wings" (Seeks to develop strong mentor relationships with targeted students)
Tuckahoe M.S. – 673-3720 – "HANDS" ('Helping and Nurturing Dynamic Students' – seeks to reduce the anonymity of students and foster positive mentor relationships)

NORTHSIDE
Brookland M.S. – 261-5000 – "BFF Brookland's Firm Foundation" (Seeks to provide students with meaningful and challenging academic, leadership, social and cultural learning experiences through the 'Boys to Men' and 'Ladies of Brookland' mentoring groups)
Moody M.S. – 261-5015 – "A.N.D. A New Direction" (Seeks to assist in closing the achievement gap for at-risk students by reducing truant attendance patterns and discipline problems through whole-group character development and social skills lessons with mentors)
Wilder M.S. – 515-1100 – "Mentors in the Middle: Connections Outside of the Classroom" (Mentoring through two gender-specific groups – one for outgoing students who seek large social groups and one for individualized, small-group attention for students who might otherwise hide their struggles and concerns); "PRIDE" (Seeks to motivate male students to be their best by focusing on purpose, responsibility, integrity, determination and esteem in a group mentoring experience)

EASTERN HENRICO
Elko M.S. – 328-4110
Fairfield M.S. – 328-4020 – (Program seeks to build relationships between students and mentors to help students achieve their potential)
New Bridge M.S. – 328-6125 – "Sophisticated Ladies" (Seeks to empower girls with the skills needed to embrace social and academic challenges through enrichment experiences, service learning projects and mentoring groups)
Rolfe M.S. – 226-8730 – "Connect 4" (Seeks to enrich student relationships, appreciation and understanding of self, family school and community through academic and civic engagement with mentors)

High Schools
WEST END
Deep Run H.S. – 364-8000
Freeman H.S. – 673-3700 – "The DSF Rebel Stand" (Seeks to help selected ninth-graders make academic gains, improve attendance and develop plans to achieve their goals by fostering positive relationships with adult mentors)
Godwin H.S. – 750-2600
Hermitage H.S. – 756-3000
Tucker H.S. – 527-4600 – "Tucker Freshman Mentor Program" (Seeks to reduce ninth-grade retention and increase on-time graduation rates through mentoring)

NORTHSIDE
Henrico H.S. – 228-2700 – "HHS Mentor Program" (Seeks to help students develop their unique individual strengths and talents through one-to-one, group and team mentoring)
Virginia Randolph Community H.S. – 261-5085 – "Boys to Men/Ladies Only" (Seeks to enhance students' attitudes toward learning and improving interpersonal relationships)

EASTERN HENRICO
Highland Springs H.S. – 328-4000 – "Distinguished Springers" (Seeks to identify ninth-grade and/or over aged boys and connect them with mentors who will provide a variety of experiences to inspire them to consider new opportunities)
Varina H.S. – 226-8700