| 5000 Role Models of Excellence |
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5000 Role Models of Excellence |
Pinellas County Schools 5000 Role Models of Excellence was created to boost the self-image, social skills and academic performance of selected males, in part, by motivating them to interact with respected and successful men from the community. This program matches young men who are struggling in school with mentors who will meet with them on a regular basis. Statistic show that boys who have mentors are:
• 52% less likely to skip school.
• 46% less likely to start using drugs.
• 33% less likely to hit someone.
All students, especially African American males, desperately need positive role models to relate to and to emulate. It is a fact that many young black males are harmed by drugs, AIDS, promiscuity, the prison system and black-on-black crime.
The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Program is a vital part of many schools throughout the county. The mentors work closely with school staff in striving for all African American males to achieve on or above grade level. Academic success appears to be a direct result of students who have changed their negative behaviors into positive actions.
Any parent/guardian interested in more information call or e-mail Javontae Wright at (727) 638-2183.
Javontae Wright
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First Impressions Reflecting Excellence (F.I.R.E.) |
The 5000 Role Models Program believes that high standards and even higher expectations are the foundations for student achievement, particularly for the young men in this program.
Our mentors work hand-in-hand with the educational process by attempting to “redefine the image” of the young men in their groups. Their message is simple - the way a student looks should reflect the pride and confidence he has inside himself. First impressions do count!
5000 Role Models is instituting a new project called F.I.R.E. (First Impressions Reflecting Excellence). This concept will emphasize the reality that “how” you dress sends messages about yourself to the world around you.
It is our desire to mandate that the young men in the program wear shirts, ties, and long pants when we take them in public. We currently have mentor groups who have instituted a “Dress for Success” day at their campuses and have had significant results in dispelling the negative attitudes and behavior of the young men. We are expanding this concept to all program participants and have updated our parent permission form to reflect these changes.
The goals of the program are clear:
• to increase academic achievement for our young men.
• to promote a school culture that values and responds to diversity and understands the need for respect for others.
These goals alone do not solve the problems that exist. By “redefining the image,” 5000 Role Models is taking a giant step closer to our vision – to create an environment for our students where success is unavoidable and failure is not an option. We must prepare our young men to live in a diverse world. If you want others to respect you, you must first respect yourself.
This project will involve all our program components – students, mentors, parents, and schools. At the end of the day, we want each of our young men to ask this all-important question. “Do I have the FIRE to succeed?”
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