Methacton presents 'Community Cares,' a peer-led prevention program that trained 50 student mentors

Methacton School District on April 28 showcased Community Cares, a pilot program that trains high‑school students to teach middle‑school peers about respect, safety and healthy relationships.

Assistant Superintendent Regina Zerbe and program leads said Community Cares pairs partner organizations with 50 selected high‑school mentors who completed a two‑day summer orientation and monthly training before delivering 30‑minute lessons in sixth‑ and seventh‑grade classrooms. Amy Smith, who the presentation described as the program’s originator working with Representative Joe Webster’s office, said the model asks community partners to ‘‘whittle that down into a half hour chunk of time that a high school student would be able to deliver to a middle school student.’’

The board was shown partner organizations and early outcome data. Carly Morris of Mission Kids and other partners provided the month‑by‑month curriculum, which included online safety, diversity and inclusion, conflict resolution, boundary setting and communication skills. A program presenter told the board the cohort of 50 high‑school mentors completed more than 28 hours of training and volunteer work, and that in a post‑program survey 65.9% of mentors ‘‘strongly agree’’ and 34.1% ‘‘agree’’ that their leadership skills grew as a result of participating.

Belonging and climate facilitator Mikaela Zelle described classroom results she observed: middle‑school engagement increased and staff recorded a dip in cyber disrespect as the year progressed. Zelle said she will continue to track trends with pre‑ and post‑surveys and teacher feedback. "We saw growth in empathy, responsibility, and kindness," she said, summarizing the district’s early findings.

Student mentor Tayah, who appeared in the presentation video and spoke to the board, said the experience helped her ‘‘develop these connections’’ with younger students and gave her confidence leading lessons. Program leaders told the board they will recruit rising juniors and seniors for year two, plan to increase the number of mentors per classroom, and shift some curriculum to inward‑focused topics such as self‑esteem and stress management.

Presenters credited local partners and funders for supporting the pilot, naming Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center, the ARC Alliance, Victim Services, Laurel House, Montgomery County Community College, Ursinus College (orientation site), and Ambler Savings Bank among collaborators and supporters. Zerbe invited board members to visit sessions and the summer orientation.

Board members praised the program and asked about continuity for students moving from seventh to eighth grade; presenters said program design is still being refined and they welcome board input. Miss Austin asked that orientation dates be added to the district calendar so members can attend; staff agreed to share that information.

The district said it will continue to collect and analyze survey and classroom data as Community Cares expands in year two.