Head of School Blog

I think my favorite blog entries are the ones that celebrate our students’ success stories…  today’s story is particularly inspiring as I feel it embodies everything that LILA is.

LIL(A) Me(ntors)  a.k.a. Project LIL’ Me is a volunteer program for and by Lycée International de Los Angeles students, designed by LILA 11th grader, Madeleine Planeix-Crocker

Last month, 11th grade French Baccalauréat student Madeleine Planeix-Crocker met with Los Feliz director Philippe Vanhille and myself to pitch a wonderful project: she wanted to start a mentorship program at LILA in which High School students would pair up with Middle School students to help them succeed.

The project seemed ambitious and inspired.  Presenting her project, Madeleine explained that her goals were to:

• develop school spirit and stress LILA’s identity as a K-12 school
• support teachers in their work
• allow younger children to have an on-campus ‘big brother/big sister’
• develop confidence and responsibility in high school students
• build excitement around learning!

Basically, Madeleine planned to get 9th through 12th grade students to sign up on a volunteer basis to act as a big brother/big sister to a LILA 6th through 8th grade student.  They would interact with their little brother/little sister during recess and lunch times.  The commitment was to be one year long.

With a few kind words of encouragement given at the initial meeting, Madeleine was off to talk, coach and inspire her fellow ‘highschoolers’.

By early November, Madeleine had her band of dedicated and amazing student volunteers together… she wrote to them all to confirm their induction into this pioneer endeavor… they all received her email with the Lil’ Me mission statement and guidelines:

“Congratulations, you are officially LILA Big Sisters and Big Brothers! 

This is an exciting commitment that you are taking on.  It means being prompt, caring, wise, and kind with your "sibling".  You should plan to have lunch once a week with your little sister/brother to talk.  It is your duty to help, listen, and give advice to your "sibling" concerning organization, schoolwork, study habits, and also class conduct (with teachers and classmates).  You are there to provide emotional and moral support: you have all gone through those middle school years, so you are able to bring judicious advice to the table.  This program was designed with no after school obligations.”  

On November 23rd, 2009, seventeen “middle schoolers” were paired up with high school Big Sisters and Brothers.  The picture below commemorates their first week in the program.

Bravo Madeleine, you have done a very important thing… you have made our school a better place in a very big way… may your program grow and prosper… for we will all gain in the process!