New student mentor program at Northport High School offers freshmen a chance to connect

An ongoing emphasis on mental and physical wellbeing has led to a new peer mentorship program at Northport High School. The program, which kicked off with student mentor and teacher training this month, will support incoming freshman with the many aspects of transitioning to a new school, including learning a new building, making new friends and navigating life as a high schooler.

More than a dozen juniors and seniors signed up to be mentors and receive training from both internal and external professionals that would serve as their guide to welcoming freshmen. The new program, led by Drug and Alcohol Counselor Anthony Ferrandino with support from additional teachers, counselors and administrators, is in its pilot year thanks to a grant secured by Assemblyman Keith Brown. The district worked with the organization Human Understanding and Growth Services, Inc. (HUGS), to conduct the initial training, during which student mentors and staff reflected on how they could make the new ninth graders feel most welcome at the high school.

During freshman orientation, the student mentors, along with members of National Honor Society, met with freshmen in small groups to conduct ice breakers and various “get to know you” activities. These small groups rotated through four different spaces: one space to meet with their assistant principals and discuss the pillars of the “Show Your Stripes” motto, one space led by Principal Rob Dennis about a new, school-wide philanthropic event, a third space for restorative circles to get to know one another, and the last group was led by a member of the HUGS team with a focus on inclusivity and belonging.

In the inclusion and belonging group space, HUGS leader Kym Laube spoke to students about the importance of acceptance and kindness. “You can make a big difference in your school community just by being kind, just by being a safe space,” she said.

Student mentor and senior Tessa Cote spoke about why she was inspired to become a student mentor, sharing “For me, I came in as a freshman during COVID and that was a really hard time to adjust, especially with all the different accommodations. Having someone to guide you I think would have been a lot easier to adjust to a different school, so I think coming from that experience, I wanted to make sure other freshmen didn’t feel out of place when they first came here. It’s important to start building connections now and keep going,” she said.

Looking ahead, the student mentors will work with staff to identify ninth graders who may be in need of additional guidance throughout the school year and be paired with those individuals to provide one-to-one support.