Homewood Middle School

Sponsor: AnnaGrace Baldwin

The Homewood Middle School Peer Helping Program is designed to enhance each student’s middle school experience by providing peer helpers with the skills and resources necessary to encourage and help their classmates. This program is based on the concept of students helping other students. Peer helpers are expected to maintain high personal standards and be positive role models for their peers. Serving as a Homewood Middle School Peer Helper is both a privilege and a responsibility. HMS Peer Helpers are a vital part of the HMS culture and our community. 

We select HMS Peer Helpers in the spring of each school year. Students are trained in basic peer helping skills as well as specialty skills, including: peer tutoring, peer mentoring, and serving as ambassadors. These students must also be committed to community service, either on their own or through other organizations. HMS Peer Helper Leadership Team members serve on the Safe & Healthy Homewood Collaborative as well as on the HMS School Counseling Program Advisory Council.

Some of our group service activities include:

• volunteering at the elementary school festivals
• volunteering for the "HMS Concession Crew" for home athletic events
  
• volunteering at parent nights/programs
• teaching prevention lessons to HMS students
• teaching lessons to 5th grade HCS students
• assisting with the 5th-grade Grade Visit
• serving as ambassadors at school events
• assisting with new students

HMS Peer Helpers must be in the 7th or 8th grade and must commit to an alcohol, other drug, and tobacco-free lifestyle. In addition, HMS Peer Helpers must attend a mandatory annual training, meetings before school, and other scheduled events. They must also provide a minimum of 30 hours of service to the community during the year, serve as an ambassador for HMS, serve as a mentor for Homewood elementary school students, and maintain high personal and academic standards.