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Goal

The overall purpose of the Big Pats Little Pats mentoring project is to enhance the quality of mentorship between high school and elementary school students by providing structured activities and snacks during their time together. These resources help create a welcoming, engaging environment that fosters meaningful connections and positive relationships. By supporting the social and emotional development of both mentors and mentees, the program addresses the need for stronger peer support systems within the school community. Academically, the project aims to promote consistent participation from high school mentors, with a target of perfect attendance or at least 80% session attendance. For the elementary students, the anticipated outcomes include improved behavior, more positive attitudes toward school, and ultimately, enhanced academic performance as a result of increased engagement and encouragement from their mentors. 

What will be done with my students

Big Pats Little Pats is a mentoring club that connects high school students from Aubrey Rogers High School with elementary students from Veterans Memorial Elementary School. Selected students will meet twice a month for 45-minute sessions to engage in a variety of meaningful activities, including reading books, completing STEAM projects, playing games, and participating in arts and crafts. These shared experiences are designed to foster conversation, trust, and connection, allowing mentors and mentees to build strong, supportive relationships over time. This project meets the needs of our students and schools by providing essential supplies for planned activities and offering snacks during each session. Having access to materials ensures that every meeting is hands-on and engaging, while the inclusion of snacks adds a warm, welcoming element to the environment. We believe that sharing food helps break the ice, supports relationship-building, and contributes to a fun and positive mentoring experience. 

Benefits to my students

As a result of the Big Pats Little Pats mentoring program, high school students will benefit by gaining valuable volunteer hours while developing a deeper sense of responsibility and connection to their school and broader community through their mentorship of younger students. For elementary students, the consistent support and positive influence of their mentors are expected to lead to improvements in key areas such as attendance, behavior, and academic performance—particularly in students who have previously struggled in these areas. To evaluate the effectiveness of the program, both student and staff surveys will be used to measure outcomes related to engagement, behavior, and perceived impact. These surveys will help us assess the success of the program and identify areas for growth in the future. 

Budget Narrative

Grant funds will be used to purchase board games such as Sorry!, Tic Tac Toe, and Trouble to encourage teamwork, communication, and relationship-building between mentors and mentees. Additionally, arts and crafts supplies—including bookmark and beading kits—will provide creative, hands-on activities that promote engagement and self-expression. Funds will also cover snacks to create a welcoming, comfortable environment that supports connection and meaningful interaction. These purchases directly support the goals of the Big Pats Little Pats mentoring program by enhancing the quality of time students spend together and fostering positive social-emotional outcomes. 

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