Park Middle School eighth graders gave incoming Panthers a favorable impression of their new home by serving as experienced tour guides this spring.

Members of Park’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program led Everett Elementary School fifth graders across campus for a community engagement project. They answered questions from the Eagles, showed them where the classrooms are located and showered them with encouragement.

Park eighth graders Tabarek and Mauricio said it was fun to sharpen their leadership skills during the afternoon. Many Everett students will attend sixth grade at Park next year, which made the tours especially meaningful for them.

“I loved teaching the kids about where to go,” Tabarek said. “I loved teaching them for their future. I liked to help them understand where to go and make them excited for what’s coming.”

“I enjoyed it because I know these kids are going to really like their experiences here,” Mauricio said. “They’re going to be able to make new friends. We’re showing them the ropes and we’re basically teaching them what to do.”

Park teacher Claudia Perales-Garcia watched with pride as her AVID students explained details about the building to the fifth graders. The tours served as a capstone to a yearlong mentorship program between the two schools. Perales-Garcia said all of her eighth graders were excited to be role models for the younger Eagles.

“They feel like they have made a difference and they’re making an impact in their community,” Perales-Garcia said. “Many of them went to Everett themselves, so the opportunity to get to connect with younger students gives them better insight of who was I when I was a fifth grader? How much have I grown? How much do I still need to grow? It’s been really good for them.”

The AVID program is designed to foster key skills such as teamwork, self-esteem and critical thinking for Lincoln Public Schools students in grades 6-12. In addition to focusing on academic subjects like reading, writing and math, the courses also teach a strong sense of self-identity. This can lay the foundation for success in both LPS and postgraduate settings.

Perales-Garcia implemented the partnership with Everett three years ago as part of the AVID curriculum. She wanted the monthly meetings to become mentorship opportunities that helped students in both grades grow and prosper. The Panthers assist Everett students with classroom topics, talk to them about their lives and inspire them to believe they are capable of becoming leaders too.

Tabarek said those relationship-building moments are one reason why she enjoys AVID. She has taken AVID classes for three years at Park and will continue the program at Northwest High School.

“I love how it gives you the opportunity to be able to have a future,” Tabarek said. “If maybe your parents didn’t get that opportunity, you can. It teaches you many different things, and it’s a great program for anyone who wants to go to college.”

Park students began their time as tour guides with several classroom activities. They showed fifth graders folders of their AVID projects and gave them tips to succeed in school. They advised the Eagles to get assignments done on time, stay organized in classes and listen to their teachers. They also played a game where eighth graders partnered with fifth graders.

Small groups then filtered through the building for their Park expeditions. They walked past classrooms and stopped at landmarks such as the cafeteria and gym. Then, everyone reunited at the main office for a Park-Everett team photo.

Mauricio said he had fun leading his group through the hallways. He relied on his public speaking skills to explain important material and maintain friendly conversations with everyone.

Did the Eagles ask him useful things for their middle school careers?

“They did,” Mauricio said. “The questions were like, ‘What are the teachers like on the first day?’ and ‘How will they help you?’ They had good things to ask.”

Perales-Garcia said the tours were a key first step for the incoming Panthers. She felt they will be more comfortable making the move from elementary to middle school next fall.

“When the year starts, they’ll already recognize the faces and will have been through these halls,” Perales-Garcia said. “I feel like the transition for them will be easier. They’ll feel like they belong here and that Park is not a strange and unfamiliar middle school. It’s a place that’s going to welcome them with open arms.”

Mauricio said the partnership between Park and Everett was a prime example of AVID’s family-based atmosphere. He said those trustworthy and supportive connections have given him more confidence at school.

“It’s helping people academically and it’s helping us prepare for our futures,” Mauricio said. “It always helps someone, whether it’s academically or whether they need help themselves. We all see each other as a family, so we always help each other when we need it.”

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