This month, School Resource Officer for Lloydminster Public School Division, Cst. Grant KirzingerĀ is focusingĀ on mentorship within schools. Kirzinger says that mentoring youth is a priority within the community.
“As mentors, we’ve had a lot of opportunities in our lives to go through different experiences that gives us knowledge and wisdom, and passing on to the students is extremelyĀ important, being able to guide them and giving them advice, so they can take advantage of every opportunityĀ given to them and set themselves up for success in the future.”
Parents can get involvedĀ with peer-to-peer mentoring programs from Kindergarten through Grade 12. Also, parents can volunteer with school initiatives such as the breakfast and lunch programs. Other mentoring programs within the community are offered at Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Lloydminster Youth Council and the Youth Centre.
Kirzinger says that part of his job as an SRO is to invest in youth, not just the policing aspect of the position.
“To get to know the individualsĀ inside the schools and help them with struggles they might be having, encourage them in their strengths and to just be a positive influence. Research shows that youth need at least 5 adultsĀ inside of theirĀ lives to invest in them to best set them up for success.”
On Facebook, LPSD has been posting monthly videos of Kirzinger speaking onĀ subjects to inform parents and youth. In January,Ā Kirzinger suggested tips for parents on how to navigate social media with theirĀ children.
Kirzinger has been the School Resource Officer with LPSD since the fall.