ROME, GA— Anyone passing by Main Elementary School the morning of Aug. 19, 2022, may have noticed a line out the door of the historic gym and extending down the sidewalk between it and the school as mothers and other relatives awaited the opportunity to share sweet time and breakfast with their little Wolves. The occasion was Muffins with Mom, and the goals were community and collaboration.
Assistant Principal Dr. Eric Robertson’s energy was that of an original hype-man, and his confidence in the student body, staff and community of families to work together was certain. While fellowship with the Main community was on the agenda, the event was also a call for help with mentorship within the school, as well as a rally to #MoveMain #LikeAWolf by ensuring things like attendance, academics, and attitude are jointly supported by staff and parents alike.
Greg Wooten, Executive Director of Communities in Schools (CIS) kicked off the morning’s event with a presentation of the various programs and resources available through CIS. Of particular focus was the Mentor/Volunteer program, for which he provided a full orientation as well as information to take home. He encouraged attendees to consider making time to mentor a student within the city school system and act as one of the constants in the life of another child.
Wooten discussed how mentoring has a positive impact on a student’s academic performance and overall success in school. He explained that mentored students have shown increased attendance, decreased discipline incidents, and increased self-esteem and personal character.
The mentoring program through CIS is strictly school-based and transporting or meeting with students for non-sanctioned activities is prohibited. Other guidelines for mentors were discussed such as confidentiality and best practice for working with children and youth. Paperwork and needed documentation to be approved as a mentor were reviewed.
As Wooten wrapped up, teachers began leading students into the gym and seating them alongside their respective class flags. Eager grins were visible as the kids used wide and expectant eyes to seek out their mothers and other relatives who had come to share tasty breakfast treats with them to their hearts’ content. The air was light with kisses being blown and caught from child to parent and back again.
When Wooten’s presentation was complete and all questions about the student mentorship program had been addressed, Robertson invited mothers and relatives to connect with their children and return together to the chairs provided in the central part of the gym. He had one more activity in mind before guests and students filled their bellies with the awaiting goodies.
Robertson directed parents’ and students’ attention to the wall beside the stage of the historic gym where he had displayed three words: academics, attitude and attendance. He stressed that these are the three most important things Main Elementary will be focusing on this year in efforts to #MoveMain #LikeAWolf.
Robertson had parents use three sticky notes they had been given earlier to number one through three, and place each under the respective categories in the order of importance to them. He then encouraged parents to have a conversation with their child about why they chose a particular category as most important. No matter where parents and students work from as most important, the overarching message according to Robertson is to show up to school with the right attitude to perform academically.
Before ending the morning with breakfast together, attendees heard from Reading Incentive Director Julie Reid about the system-wide incentive program, Read Like a Wolf, which includes prizes earned for logging reading minutes along the way through the year. Additionally, Main’s secretary and bookkeeper Portia Jones addressed the crowd and revisited the importance of being present and on time for school each day.
Robertson stressed that events like this are important for students and families, and stated, “It brings about awareness that collaboration is vital to move Main like a Wolf.” And of course—in true hype-man style—he ended the program with a resounding howl.
Collaborate and #MoveMain #LikeAWolf
###