2021-2022 Catalog

SBS-HC206 Community Engagement- Big Brother/Big, Sister

This is the first in a series of three, consecutive challenge courses (Fall, Spring, Fall) will provide qualified honors students with, an opportunity to satisfy their entire minimum, challenge course requirement (3 credits; one, credit per semester), as well as the local, engagement and potentially the global engagement, requirement too. Honors students (Bigs) will be, matched with one child (Little) to serve as their, companion and friend. The 'Littles' are students, who are currently enrolled at the McKay, Elementary School in East Boston., During their time together, Bigs and Littles, talk, play games, and simply spend time together., Professionally trained staff will provide, ongoing support to each "match" through telephone, contact and meeting with the Bigs and Littles as, well as a designated McKay school official., This school based mentoring program will provide, honors students with the opportunity to create, one-to-one friendships with students during the, school year on school (McKay) grounds. 'Bigs', will spend 45 minutes to one hour per week with, their 'Little'. The Big and Little are matched, for a minimum of three semesters. This allows, Bigs to provide the level of consistency, necessary to create the statistically proven, impact for their Little., This impact is significant. A 1999 national, study showed that children in Big Brother and Big, Sisters School Based Mentoring program were, comparatively:, . 64% more likely to develop positive attitudes, towards school, . 58% more likely to achieve higher grades in, social studies, languages and math, . 60% more likely to improve relationship with, adults and 56% more likely to improve, relationship with peers.

Credits

1

Prerequisite

GPA 3.3 or higher