Submitted by: Lesli Goodhart and Alicia Kowitz
The York Suburban Middle School CHIPS (Caring Helpers Igniting Peer Success) are busy at work serving their peers and the school community. CHIPS are 8th grade students who are also members of the Middle School Friends of Rachel (F.O.R.) program, promoting a chain reaction of kindness within the school and community. Students interested in becoming a member of the CHIPS subgroup of Friends of Rachel go through an application and teacher recommendation process. CHIPS are expected to be friendly, helpful and responsible students, committed to serving as mentors to their peers. Under the supervision of Mrs. Goodhart and Mrs. Kowitz, CHIPS engage in activities to prepare them for their role as mentors and they meet regularly for planning and program support. CHIPS may be called on to serve in a variety of ways, but much of their time is committed to the orientation of new students and providing academic and organizational support to their peers.