5/20/13 - The Howell Board of Education heard a presentation last week on a program that is helping improve the lives of students with special needs. The Teaching, Interacting, and Encouraging Students program, or TIES, began last fall at Howell High School. It is a peer-mentoring program wherein students with special needs are each connected with another student for support. The mentor accompanies the TIES student to one class each day to encourage them in positive academic, social and behavioral skills. Following a video presentation at its May 13th meeting, the school board heard from several of the TIES students and their mentors. All of them gave strong endorsements for the program, which they say improved their school experience and helped them form new friendships. Organizers say the program has resulted in better attendance, grades, social skills, and overall behavior, as well as allowing the participants to better connect to their peers. They thanked the board for allowing its creation and hoped that it could continue helping students with special needs for years to come. (TD)
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