Depot Campus Celebrates Mentors
by Melanie Savage
May 14, 2010
In our second year at the Depot Campus , we are building on some real momentum in our school and community ,” said Brad Martin, director of the alternative-setting school affiliated with E.O. Smith High School. Based on The Big Picture model of learning, Depot Campus provides a “non-traditional educational experience for students who have demonstrated the need for a smaller and more personal instructional setting,” according to the program’s website.
“The traditional setting doesn’t serve everybody,” said Martin. Students who are struggling in the traditional high school environment are identified via cooperation between teachers, administrators , guidance counselors, and Depot staff. At Depot, students are offered an individualized program that is tailored to their specific interests. The Big Picture model places an importance upon adult-student relationships. The goal is for teachers, referred to as advisors , to stay with the students throughout their high school career.
Students at the Depot are expected to spend at least two full days a week participating in an off-campus internship. Internships are provided by local businesspeople , who take students into their workplace and give them an opportunity to experience a career firsthand .
On May 7, the Depot Campus held a celebratory breakfast to thank mentors for their contributions to students’ educations and lives. “That’s what makes this school run,” said Martin. “We wouldn’t be here if we couldn’t have established this internship piece.”
New this year was a video featuring interviews with mentors and interns, on location. Partners talked about some of the highlights of their time together during the school year.
Among the student-mentor partnerships this year were Sarah Wilby and River Lefebvre. Sophomore Lefebvre worked with Wilby at the Lutz Children’s Museum, helping to maintain the facility’s large collection of animals and to facilitate educational outreach. “I wanted to work with animals,” said Lefebvre. “Brad had a job shadow with the Lutz set up, so I decided to try it.” Lefebvre, who is thinking of a career in zoology, learned plenty about working with animals. But he also gained some experience he had not anticipated. “I had never worked with kids before, and I never had younger siblings,” said Lefebvre. When Wilby got him involved in the gallery program, where visiting children have a chance to meet the animals up-close and personal, Lefebvre found himself in unfamiliar territory. “It taught me how to communicate with the children,” he said.
“It didn’t take him long to get good at it,” said Wilby. “The gallery program is important to us. It helps to enhance the museum experience, and it inspires kids to be compassionate toward animals .”
“I think it helped me to improve my social skills,” said Lefebvre. “I learned to reach out and communicate with the parents and the kids.”
Marie Cyr, through her internship with Sara Zelonka, owner of The Healthy Alternative Market and Deli, discovered a new passion. Unsure of what she wanted to do, she happened upon the internship at the market. “It just came along, and I jumped at it,” said the sophomore. “I discovered my interest in cooking.” Cyr said she is now considering a career in the field. For Zelonka, the experience has been nothing but positive. “[ Marie’s ] a huge help,” said Zelonka. “She’s very competent , and follows directions well. It’s kind of fun to see her grow and progress as the semester goes on, too, both personally and in her skill level.”
As the school year nears completion, the Depot Campus looks forward to a milestone. “Our first two students are graduating this year,” said Martin. “We’re very excited about that.” Schools in neighboring towns who are interested in pursuing the Depot option should contact Martin at 860-487-2260 .