by Audrey Thomasson
CLARAVILLE—Difficulties associated with children of middle school age are well known. One need only view the volume of school discipline and referral slips to prove the point.
The fact that seventh- and eighth-graders are often isolated on a separate campus acknowledges that these are adolescents preparing to explode into full blown teens.
Middle school transition years also are viewed with assumptions that kids are on emotional overdrive, display poor judgement, and rebel at adult constraints.
However, Northumberland school superintendent Dr. Holly Wargo is taking a new approach to the 12-, 13- and 14-year-old challenge. Her solution: Student mentor Marvin Johnson.
“Mr. Marvin Johnson has been an excellent addition to our staff,” said Wargo. “As student mentor, he is able to build relationships with our middle school students and to provide life coaching opportunities for our kids…