In 2023, inside the halls of Ellenville Elementary, the sixth graders all said the same thing in their classrooms: “Ms. Mangram, I’m terrified of going to the Junior/Senior High School.” Despite the many classroom circles, teacher and administrator discussions, and one-on-one conversations, the students appeared petrified about the transition from the Elementary to Jr/Sr High School. One of the Assistant Principals and I discussed ways we can help our students with this fear. The idea we developed began as a simple mentorship program pairing seniors with 6th-grade students to discuss the transition.
However, what began as a mentorship program evolved into a revolutionary restorative movement rooted in connection, belonging, healing, and strength.
At its core, the mentorship program embodies the principles of restorative practices. This program helps students feel seen, valued, supported, and connected to the school and community. The mentorship program connects a sixth grader with a graduating senior who has already experienced the transition to Junior/ Senior High School. The senior mentors guide the students through the hallways, introduce them to the teacher and staff, and instill a sense of belonging in each sixth-grade student. Through scavenger hunts, open gym activities, school tours, collaborative games, and heartfelt conversations, students begin developing trust long before the first day of Junior High School. The sixth-grade students who once found the high school overwhelming now see the Junior/Senior High School as a place of curiosity and a challenge they can tackle. What once felt confusing became exciting.
The impact is not limited to the mentees. Mentors become role models for younger students while discovering their own purpose. They learn how to communicate supportively and motivationally. Many mentors have described the experience as meaningful and rewarding, noting that they witnessed firsthand how deeply their encouragement affected younger students. The program reminds these seniors of the imprint they leave on the Ellenville community. It teaches students that our influence comes from how we make others feel.
The clearest example of the program’s impact is during the Senior Walkthrough and end-of-year celebrations. Graduating seniors returned to the elementary school hallways one final time, greeted not only by applause but also by their own mentees. Sixth graders prepared handwritten letters, paper flowers, signs, and heartfelt gifts. Many students become emotional. These are genuine relationships built over time through trust, encouragement, and care. These moments symbolize something deeper than goodbye- it reflects the power of connection.
The Ellenville mentorship proved that when schools invest in relationships, students do more than succeed academically – they thrive.
Sometimes, Restorative Practices don’t require something grandiose; it begins with a student saying, “You belong here.”
— Submitted by Briana Mangram, NY Educator and Restorative Justice Practitioner
