Welcome Peer Counselors

The Peer Counseling Program is designed to assist all of the 7^th grade students with the transition into Jr. / Sr. High School. 12^th grade volunteers are trained and assigned a small group of 7^th graders (3-4 students) prior to their entry into 7^th grade. Through a series of personal contacts and events, a special relationship is formed that helps incoming 7^th graders feel more connected to their new school and less anxious about their transition. The Peer Counseling Program has five advisors: Mrs. Pokracki, Mr. Posner, Mrs. Ronan, Mr. Hammer, and Mrs. Armbrewster 

Mandatory Peer Counselor Activities

Monthly Journal Content

1. What was the date, time, and location of your peer counselor group meeting?

2. What was the topic of discussion?

3. What do you think your peer kids took away from the meeting?

4. What did you get out of it?

April                Recruitment and selection of Peer Counselors (next years 12^th graders)

May                 Peer Counselor Training

June                 “Meet Your Peer Counselor” An introduction to their peer kids

August             7^th Grade Orientation

Sept                 First Day of School (and through first week)

Oct                  7^th Grade Team Building Experience @ YMCA’s Camp Arrowhead

Oct                  Halloween Activity

Dec                  Holiday Get Together (Completion of the transition experience)

7th Grade Team Building Experience

at YMCA's Camp Arrowhead

Along with being great fun, the 7^th Grade Team Building Experience is designed to facilitate the following:

• Promote Trust
• Develop and Promote Self-Empowerment
• Encourage and Develop Creative Thinking
• Encourage Teamwork and Cooperation
• Enhance Problem Solving Skills
• Enhance Self-Confidence and Self-Worth
• Develop Communication Skills
• Provide a Fun and Memorable Experience

A typical day...

At the beginning of first period (around 8:10 am) 7th Graders and their 12th Grade Peer Counselors are called out of their classes and depart for YMCA's Camp Arrowhead in Perinton, NY.  

Le Roy students and staff arrive at Camp Arrowhead at around 9:15 am. Upon arrival the Camp Arrowhead Staff greets the students with large group "ice-breaker" activities. 

All students are expected to dress appropriately for the weather. This means being prepared for rain and wearing layers of clothing. Mr. Posner, Mrs. Pokracki, and Mrs. Marinaccio are shown here in appropriate ropes course attire.

Following the large group activities, students are broken up into small groups with their Peer Counselors and Peer Counseling Groups. The small groups are led by YMCA Camp Arrowhead Instructors.  All of the small group activities take place on the lower ropes course (as shown below).  

Some of the activities require trust while others require a team strategy.

After a long morning of hard work this group seems pretty excited about lunch (which takes place at around 11:30 am).

After lunch it's back to the small groups for some more team building activities. All of the activities require that the students work together to accomplish a common goal.

At the end of the day students say goodbye to their group leaders...

At 1:30 we get back on the busses and head back to Le Roy. Students get back to school at around 2:15 giving them enough time to gather their things before heading home at 2:26.

Thank you class of 2012!

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