Look what's new at St. Mary's College

NEWS RELEASE

HURON-SUPERIOR CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

************************* St. Mary’s begins mentor program for Grade 9's

SAULT STE. MARIE - St. Mary’s College has introduced a special Grade 9 transition program with the start of classes at the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board secondary school today.

The program dubbed, Link Crew, is a program that provides a senior student mentor to every incoming Grade 9 secondary school student for their entire first year.

Link Crew is a product of “the boomerang project” which is headquartered in California.

“We are very excited about this program and the potential it has to enhance the secondary school experience for our Grade 9 students. At St. Mary’s we are proud of the spirit shown by our students and this program will undoubtedly create a stronger bond between all of our Knights,” said Principal Cindy Salituri.

To date over 1,300 secondary schools have adopted Link Crew for their incoming freshmen.

St. Mary’s College has joined the initiative which is designed to ease Grade 9 students into the secondary school experience.

The program can boost academic success for Grade 9 students who may be overwhelmed by their new education challenge.

It can expose new students to a wider variety of their schoolmates in positive and supportive situations.

For Grades 11 and 12 student-mentors the program allows them to be a role model for their new schoolmates, develop leadership skills and pass along positive traditions to younger students.

Grades 11 and 12 students who were carefully selected to be part of the SMC Link Crew received intensive preparation from several St. Mary’s College staff members who were trained last year.

The two-day sessions included strategies that will allow these senior students to deal with a variety of problem situations that may arise during a grade nine student’s first year at secondary school.

The Link Crew Program is credited with lowering Grade 9 absences and disciplinary issues.

“This is certainly a win-win situation for everyone involved. The senior students are excited to put into practice everything they’ve learned during their training sessions and really showcase the awesome opportunities St. Mary’s has to offer to the new incoming grade nines,” said Vice-Principal Danny Viotto.

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