News Release
April 6, 2006
Denver Superintendent Michael Bennet, Board President Theresa Peña Seek Community Members To Mentor Manual High School Students
Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet and Board of Education President Theresa Peña invite community members to volunteer to mentor Manual High School students twice a month through October to assist students in their transition to a new school next year. In addition to providing general support and advice, mentors will help students identify summer school options, assist them with class choices and the registration process at their new schools and creating awareness about college access and other post secondary opportunities.
"As you can imagine, the decision to close Manual for one year has been enormously worrisome for Manual's students," said Superintendent Bennet. "With encouragement and guidance, mentors can promote resiliency and support academic success for Manual High School students. We hope you will join us in mentoring Manual students and help them transition to a bright future."
The call for mentors follows the Denver Board of Education's decision last month to close Manual High School at the end of the school year and reopen it in fall 2007 with a successful academic program. The school will reopen with grade nine, adding one grade level each year through grade 12.
"We have an extraordinary responsibility to Manual students to ensure that they continue their academic careers in other Denver schools," said Board of Education President Theresa Peña. "It's important that we as adults help students discover the value of their communities and themselves."
To mentor a Manual High School student, please sign up by completing the brief online form at www.dpsk12.org/mentors. For those interested in mentoring Manual High School students, Denver Public Schools will conduct background checks as required through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
TIMELINE
Mentors will be matched with individual Manual students beginning in mid-April. Those who sign up to mentor Manual students will be contacted the week of April 17 to confirm their attendance at one of two orientation sessions: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 22; or 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 26.
Mentors will begin their work with students the first week of May during early-morning team building sessions at Manual (1700 E. 28th Ave.). A mid-May barbeque also is planned.
Mentors should plan to meet with students twice a month through October, attending one community event each month this summer, maintaining contact at least monthly by phone and meeting with students at their new school after the start of the school year on Monday, Aug. 21.
For more information, contact Happy Haynes, Assistant to the Superintendent for Community Partnerships, at 720-423-3221.