MENTORING

This morning I went for training at the elementary school where I will be mentoring.  The training was very short.  The guidance counselor spoke for a few minutes, then the principal had a short power point presentation on the school.  They are currently constructing a new building that will be ready for students for the 2014-2015 school year.  The school provides free breakfast & lunch to every student.  97% of all students qualify for free lunches which allowed them to qualify for a community grant to pay for all lunches.  The school has a very transient population.  There are only 320 or so students in the school today; however, this school year they have had over 400 different students to attend. 
After the presentation we got to met our students.  Mine was already at lunch so we went to the cafeteria and the principal called her over and introduced us.  I asked her if she wanted me to sit with her where she had been sitting with her class, but she preferred moving over to tables that are set aside for the mentors to have a more private lunch with their student.  It was easier to talk with her one on one rather than have lots of kids around.  They gave us a questionnaire with questions to ask our students to help break the ice.  I found out quite a bit of information about my little mentee.  She's
in the 1st grade -- right in between my granddaughters, Kate & Gabby.  Her favorite colors are pink and red.  Her favorite food is sandwiches and her favorite thing to do is play.  When I asked her what she like to play, she said she liked to play outside.  I asked her if she liked playing out in the cold and she said yes, other than her nose getting cold.  I told her that she needed a nose "mitten."  She thought that was funny.  When asked what she buy if she had a million dollars I was surprised when she answered a dog.  Hmmm, a million dollar dog??  That goes along with her favorite books -- they're about Biscuit, the dog. 
She asked me if I'd be there forever.  I told her that I didn't have any plans of leaving and planned on being around.  She also told me that she was afraid.  I'm not quite sure that was what she meant as she didn't seem afraid at all.  She seemed excited and happy and I even got a hug from her. 
I think our first meeting went very well and I'm looking forward to going back and spending time with her.