Who are the participants in the program?
Campers
Sixth-grade students (ages 11-12) are highly motivated and willing to take part in significant activities leading up to the transition to middle school and their adult lives.
And
Why sixth graders?
We all remember the transition to middle school - on the one hand excitement and anticipation but on the other hand quite a few worries and worries: what will happen? How will I manage in the new structure? Who will be my friends? Will I succeed? Today we know that good and healthy social relationships in elementary school and proper preparation for middle school can affect the experience in middle school, high school and even in adult life. Therefore, we strive and work to develop the skills and abilities of our trainees and help them face the many challenges, personal and social, towards the transition to the division.
Mentors
Pupils and students in grades 9-12 (ages 14-18), who volunteer at the association as part of social involvement in schools.
And
After comprehensive and professional screening and training, the mentors accompany a trainee throughout the year of activity alongside being an educational leadership team in schools and the local community. The trainees' familiarity with the tutors who study comprehensively allows them to build strong social connections, develop self-confidence, a sense of belonging and ability.
Students
Every year we select male and female students to manage the Or branches for education in the positions of head of branch and head of training.
And
Our students live in the periphery and are looking for an opportunity for professional development, community contribution and a significant scholarship. We believe that the meeting between the trainees, tutors and students creates an opportunity to strengthen the sense of competence and personal and social development. In addition, the students of Or for Education receive a networking program and professional guidance from members of the association's board of directors.
Where do our activities take place and what do we do about them?
Our activity takes place in the light branches of education located in the surrounding schools in the city. Why? Because this is the opportunity for the trainees to get to know the new structure and the students of the division and the high school who study in it.
In our weekly activities, the trainees, mentors and leaders of the branch (our students) meet at the branch for a variety of activities that include: "mentor-trainee" time according to the participants' interests, group activities, experiential and values, tours and volunteer days for the school and community.
It is important to note that in our activities we do not focus on studies, tests and homework - but on what interests our participants and what they like to do! Our unique mentoring program enables participants to strengthen their self-confidence, sense of competence and social connections, alongside volunteering in the community and social projects that strengthen the sense of belonging and connection to the school, community, city and Israeli society.
And
After a year of activity - the counselors stated that:
73% of the trainees are largely and very much ready for the transition to middle school.
90% of the trainees have improved the relationship with the teacher to a great and very great extent.
100% of them recommend sending sixth graders to light education activities prior to the transition to seventh grade.
The campers' parents stated that:
90% feel that their children have received personal and social tools during our year of activity.
100% would recommend other parents to send their children to our activity.
The trainees stated that:
77% indicated that they feel largely and very much prepared for the transition to middle school.
78% indicated that they are much more involved in social activities at school than they have been in the past.
The tutors noted that:
86% want to continue educating a sixth-grade student as part of a light education activity next year as well
91% feel more committed to volunteering in the community and city
Sixth graders feel more confident in themselves and their abilities
77%
The trainees are more prepared to move on to middle school in the opinion of the school counselors
80%
Mentors testified that the activity strengthened their empathy for the other
84%
The campers' parents indicated that they would recommend other parents to send their children to activities
100%