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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">NEWS RELEASE</span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For Immediate Release:<span style=""> </span>13 October 2009</span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Contact:</span></u><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style=""> </span>Tracey Crago, VIPS Director, (508) 548-1621</span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style=""></span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">VIPS Mentoring Workshop to Feature Guest Speaker on Topic of Stress Reduction</span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style=""><font size="3">A workshop for mentors?and individuals interested in learning more about school-based mentoring?has been scheduled by the Falmouth Volunteers In Public Schools (VIPS) program for <b style="">Tuesday, October 20<sup>th</sup></b>. The workshop, ?Stress Reduction 101,? will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be held in the Morse Pond School Auditorium. The presenter, <b style="">Adam Liss</b>, is the owner of Cape Stress Reduction and Optimal Health, based in Marstons Mills. During the one-hour presentation, attendees will learn the basics of what it means to be stressed and how to be relaxed. </font></span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><i style=""><span style="">Volunteer mentors are always needed! </span></i><span style="">For individuals interested in learning more about the VIPS school-based mentoring programs, a <b style="">brief orientation will take place before the presentation, beginning at 9:30 a.m.</b> Prospective volunteers will learn about the roles and tasks of mentors and have a chance to meet experienced mentors who can offer advice and support to new mentors.</span></font><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><b style=""><span style="">Project RISE</span></b><span style=""> (Raising Interest and Self-Esteem) is a mentoring program geared for students in grades K-8. Students are selected to participate in Project RISE by teachers, school adjustment counselors, or parents who believe that these students would benefit from having a caring adult as a friend. By spending one hour each week with a child in a one-on-one, trusting relationship, a mentor can change the direction that child takes in his or her life. </span></font><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style=""><font size="3">Mentors are also needed at the <b style="">high school </b>level for students who may be having difficulty adjusting to the high school environment where they are faced with many difficult challenges and decisions. An adult volunteer, by spending one hour a week in friendly conversation with the student, can help the student deal with the many pressures teens encounter.</font></span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style=""><font size="3">The strength of the mentor?mentee relationship gives the student the tools he or she may need to become more self-assured and able to withstand adverse peer pressure. Students involved in school-based mentoring programs found they: <span style=""> </span>enjoyed spending time with their mentors; could count on their mentors; learned new things; participated in a variety of experiences; and wanted to continue in the program. Mentors noted that they: <span style=""> </span>enjoyed being with their mentees; had learned from their mentees; and believed that mentees had obtained new information regarding careers, higher education, and problem-solving techniques.</font></span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><span style=""><span style=""> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></font><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font size="3"><i style=""><span style="">Mentoring is rewarding!</span></i><span style=""> There are students waiting for a mentor friend at all grade levels. Anyone who is interested in learning more about mentoring through these VIPS programs is welcome at the meetings. New mentors are provided training prior to starting and throughout the school year. For more information, or to learn more about mentoring opportunities available for the 2009-10 school year, contact the VIPS office at (508) 548-1621 or by e-mail at <a href="mailto:vips@falmouth.k12.ma.us" target="_blank">vips@falmouth.k12.ma.us</a>. </span></font><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style=""></span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">VIPS, Lawrence School, </span><br><br><br>Drawde Geishecker<br><em>VIPS Secretary</em><br><em>(508) 548-1621</em><br><font size="1">VIPS, 113 Lakeview Ave, Falmouth MA 02540</font><br><br></p><address>113 Lakeview Ave., Falmouth, MA<span style=""> </span>02540</address><span style=""> </span>(508) 548-1621<span style=""> </span>vips@falmouth.k12.ma.us <br><br><font size="3"> </font><br><br> <br><br> <br><br> <br><br> <br><br> <br><br> <br><br> <br><br> <br><br> <br><br> <br><br> <br><br><font face="Times New Roman"> </font><br><br> <br><br><font size="3"> </font><br><br> <br><br> <br><br> <br>
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