Welcome to the L. D. Bell High School T.E.A.M.S. program. The acronym T.E.A.M.S. stands for Together Everyone Achieves More Success. Your commitment as a volunteer leader for this program will surely make a significant impact on the student body.

T.E.A.M.S. is designed to involve every student on the Bell campus while addressing individual needs, enhancing self-esteem, and improving success. The main purpose for this program is to promote academic achievement and personal well being for each one of our students. To reach these goals, we are attempting to forge a three-way partnership among the students, the faculty and the community. The most vital link and resource is the one played by you, the adult facilitating the program.

Thank you for the commitment you are making to our students. Your involvement will make a difference for many of our students.

Faculty and Volunteer Responsibility

The primary responsibility of the community volunteer and the faculty member is to work closely together to cultivate positive discussion within each group while providing a "home base" for each student. The two adult mentors typically share the presentation of a theme or activity for each meeting, but many groups encourage students within the group to assume leadership with adult guidance. Although suggested guidelines are provided, there is flexibility allowed for each group. It is important that the volunteer or assigned faculty member be notified if it is necessary to miss a meeting.

Overview of T. E. A. M. S.

A leader (teacher or administrator) and an assistant leader (community volunteer) guide small groups of 15 - 20 students in discussion. The activities and suggested curriculum provided in the T.E.A.M.S. notebook are provided to facilitate discussion and bonding within the groups. Through the group activities and discussions the students develop life skills including self-awareness, relating to others, communication skills, making decisions and choices, goal setting, and developing positive attitudes. This T.E.A.M.S. notebook will provide suggested guidelines and activities for each group session, but the leaders have flexibility to adjust to their group's needs. The goal of making our students successful will remain the same. This should be a semi-structured time with the leader and assistant leader directing the group rather than a free study.

Benefits of T.E.A.M.S.

• Provides the opportunity for community involvement and support.
• Encourages early intervention for students encountering problems - intervening early on in a student's.
• Teaches students how to relate to other students and adults appropriately.
• Supports the unified campus effort to provide small group settings for each student.
• Encourages students to strive for success and to focus on positive perspectives.
• Teaches valuable life skills.
• Connects campus services with our students.
• Provides an opportunity for better communication between students and their adult mentors.
• Teaches skills and facilitates discussions to help students address their problems before they become severe