Natoma High's Natural Helpers Attend Meeting
by Sophie Guiro
October 20, 2009
On
Wednesday, September 30th and Thursday, October 1st, the Natural
Helpers of Natoma High School went to the Sternburg Museum at Hays
to attend their first meeting. The Natural Helpers is a program
designed to help students by training peers in how to give advice
and listen to their peers when they need someone to listen.
This program was started last year, by a poll taken by
students. The students, all freshman and sophomores, wrote down the
names of students whom they felt most comfortable talking to
about different circumstances or situations. "I think
that this is a good program because it's nice to know that
if somebody needs someone to talk to, you can go up to them,"
said Freshman Caitlyn Thompson.
The program has many advantages. For instance,
when a student has a problem and might not feel comfortable talking
to an adult, he or she can talk to a Natural Helper who he/she
trusts and the Natural Helper will eventually help him/her to
find the best solution. Natural Helpers have special skills that
they receive through training. The Natural Helpers travelled
to Hays where they met students from Palco and Ness
City. They were taught how to talk to people when they are upset,
how to be a good listener, how to know when the situation
needs to be referred to an adult, and many other skills.
Overall, they learned ways to help students who are having
difficulties. "I think it's a good program. It helps students
gain skills to be able to help others," said Mrs Murphy, the school
counselor.
