SLAM members assist Pre-K students as part of a new program at W-WES. Fifth grade students at Washington Wilkes Elementary School are learning valuable skills as they work with Pre-K students during guidance lessons. Debra Harper, guidance counselor, started the small mentoring group after realizing the opportunity afforded to them by having the younger students housed with the older students.

The older students were asked to participate in the group after their performance in a role-play skit completed in the Guidance in Life Skills class. Mrs. Harper commented that the five boys and girls asked to participate in the mentoring group displayed traits such as enthusiasm, leadership, and a willingness to get along with others.

The group Student Leaders Are Mentors (SLAM) joins Mrs. Harper during her classroom guidance lessons with the Pre-K students each month. They help teach the monthly lessons by reading to the boys and girls, completing arts and crafts activities, or by simply discussing how they feel about certain subjects.

“They are doing such a wonderful job,” Harper stated. “I am so proud of each of them. I knew the idea would be a lot of fun but I have really been pleasantly surprised at how well it is been received. Not only do the SLAM members love going out to the Pre-K classes, but the younger students absolutely love to spend time with them.”

The program has been such a success that plans are now being made to have one mentor assigned to each class to periodically work with small groups of children with learning their alphabet, numbers, or just writing their names.

Members of the SLAM group are Ladaiel Cullars, Cara Mason, Calli Nickels, and Shaina Spence.