Uniondale, New York
Grades 9–12

Freshmen Using Senior Experience (F.U.S.E.)

Students and teachers at Uniondale High School developed the Freshmen Using Senior Experience (F.U.S.E.) mentoring program to help incoming freshmen make a successful transition to high school. All tenth and eleventh graders in good standing are invited to become mentors. Those interested complete an application and obtain a teacher recommendation. Once accepted into the program, student mentors participate in a training session and work directly under the supervision of mentor teachers. Upon completion of their training, mentors are assigned 4–6 incoming freshmen as mentees, attend the ninth-grade orientation days, and spend time getting to know the freshmen and one another. Mentors address the concerns of the incoming students, answer their questions in a positive way, and help them learn how to set academic goals and stay away from gangs and drugs. Not only does the program build community, but both mentors and mentees benefit: The freshmen have someone they can ask for advice, while the older students reinforce their own learning when they teach and share with the youngest members of the community.

CONTACT

Cynthia Curtis-Seniuk
Director
(516) 560-8831
ccurtis-seniuk@uniondaleschools.org
uhs.uniondaleschools.org