• January is National Mentoring Month and schools across the district are honoring their mentors in a variety of ways, such as with personalized thank you messages and school-based celebrations. Mentors help children build confidence, gain knowledge and develop the strength of character to succeed inside and outside of the classroom.

    Pinellas County Schools has 3,012 active mentors who have given 56,777 hours of their time to the district’s students. Mentors include parents, teachers, businessmen and women, teachers, coaches and the clergy. A one-hour investment with a Pinellas County Schools student results in a lifetime of returns for both our students and mentors.

    “We understand the importance of mentors to student success,” said Superintendent Michael A. Grego. “Whether it’s reading to a student or a class for 30 minutes or assisting at a school event, mentors give us an added level of support in our mission to prepare each student for college, career and life. Mentors are valuable members of the Pinellas County Schools team.”

    Studies have shown that students with mentors are less likely to use illegal drugs and alcohol and are less likely to skip school. They have decreased student discipline problems while having increased academic achievement.

    “We have concrete evidence to the value of spending time mentoring with our students and in our schools,” said Dr. Valerie Brimm, director of the district’s Office of Strategic Partnerships. “There are many opportunities in the district to help shape the lives of children and our community.”

    This district will host mentoring workshops from 8-10 a.m., Wednesday, January 21, at the City of St. Petersburg’s Water Resource Building, 1650 Third Ave., N., St. Petersburg. A second workshop will be held from 5-7 p.m. the same day at the
    Pinellas Education Foundation in the Wells Fargo Room, which is located at 12090 Starkey Road, Largo.

    To learn more about Pinellas County Schools mentoring opportunities, contact Michelle Roberge at robergem@pcsb.org or call 727-588-5050.

    Mentoring