Here at Kettle Falls Middle School, we are proud of the strong relationships that support our students each day—one of our favorites is the Mentor Program. Each year, a group of students is paired with a staff mentor who checks in with them at least once a day. Some students are working toward specific goals alongside our counselor, Makayla Thompson, while others are simply students we want to make sure feel seen, supported, and connected. These daily check-ins may focus on goals, how a student is feeling that day, or sometimes just a quick, friendly conversation.
This program began a few years ago alongside the implementation of Character Strong and our Tier II and Tier III supports. Staff collaborate to thoughtfully align students with areas of support, and Mrs. Thompson works with students on strategies that may focus on self-management, self-regulation, relationships, or coping skills. Mentors then help reinforce this work through brief, consistent check-ins. One of the best compliments we hear from staff is that, over time, the mentoring relationship becomes so natural that they forget who is officially “mentoring” whom—it simply becomes a trusted connection. It’s a simple but powerful practice, and one we truly love about the culture and care at KFMS. 💙🐾
