Frankfort High School Local Heroes Summer Parent/Guardian Meeting Set For July 9

To kick off the second year of the Local Heroes program involving Frankfort High School mentors traveling to Suncrest Elementary School, Blue Ridge Primary School, Green Meadows Intermediate School and Frankfort Middle School, COACH Kids is hosting a summer parent/guardian night on Wednesday, July 9.

The Local Heroes program officially expanded to welcome Frankfort High School mentors into the program in 2024 after multiple meetings with high school staff that led to agreements on how the program would operate considering the high school mentors leave the school throughout the school day to visit the elementary schools. During the discussions, it was determined that parent/guardian signatures on vital documents expressing their understanding of the program and its requirements, understanding of liabilities and approval of ride-sharing, when necessary, were to be a requirement for the mentors to participate in the program.

To provide additional opportunities to complete the documents, COACH Kids staff set the time for a summer parent/guardian meeting for Wednesday, July 9 this year from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the COACH Kids of Clinton County Office at 5 W. Clinton St. in Frankfort. During the meeting, attendees will listen to a short presentation about the program and the organization, sign necessary documents and have the opportunity to ask questions. A second meeting will be held near the start of school for those unable to attend the summer meeting. Meetings may also be scheduled with Programs Manager Carl Gingerich at any time as well to sign the paperwork. The documents must be signed for Frankfort High School students to participate in the Local Heroes program.

The Local Heroes program tasks mentors with meeting with an elementary or middle school student during the school day, typically during lunch times or during a designated period as determined by the mentor and the mentee's teacher, for 30 minutes once a week. During the meetings, mentors may play games, talk about their day, color, create friendship bracelets and much more to build a relationship that blossoms into a lifelong friendship.

Frankfort High School mentors will also have the opportunity to schedule a Peer Mentoring class during their second period that can be utilized to meet with a middle school mentee during their Hot Dog Pride period. The Peer Mentoring class will award credit to those that complete the class as well. Those interested in the second period class should contact their counselor as soon as possible.

Every year, a Local Heroes mentor from Frankfort High School will receive a scholarship that may be utilized toward college, trade school and beyond. The recipient will be determined by involvement within the program and attendance at monthly meetings, which are held during homeroom and are communicated directly from COACH Kids staff as well as through the Frankfort High School contact, alongside a short application and essay. Only seniors or those graduating early will be considered for the scholarship every year.

Those anticipating attending the parent/guardian meeting on July 9 may contact Carl Gingerich via call or text at 765-431-7166. For questions or to schedule a one-on-one meeting, contact Carl as well.

The second parent/guardian meeting date will be communicated to mentors and included in Frankfort High School correspondence following a callout meeting in August. The dates have not yet been set.