The Fort Dodge Community School District does an excellent job. Even so, it is often the case that members of the community can help teachers fulfill their vital role in educating the young people who are the future of our town, state and nation.

Some of the young folks attending our schools are not progressing as well as they could be. In an effort to help students achieve long-term success at Fort Dodge Senior High, the school is seeking the help of more volunteer mentors to motivate students as the move through their academic journeys.

The immediate focus is on finding people who will work with students who will be part of the high school’s new Freshman Academy. This new component of the school’s multifaceted educational program is designed to create a smaller atmosphere within FDSH to ease incoming freshmen into high school life. Freshmen will have all of their core classes within that space. The academy is to be in operation by late August.

“If we can get our freshmen transitioned from eighth grade to ninth grade with the support that they need — academically, socially and emotionally, they will have a higher probability of success,” FDSH Principal Kenneth Hayes told The Messenger last week. “Some kids just need two more eyes watching them. Another person to talk to for a period of time to get them over the hump.”

That’s where volunteer mentors can make an invaluable contribution.

Each mentor selected would be required to spend at least one hour each week — or an average of one hour per week over one month — for the entire school year, according to Corey Moody, mentoring coordinator. Through academic and behavioral data, the school has identified about 25 students who are the initial candidates for mentoring. The mentors and students will be matched by Moody based on similar interests. He will serve as the facilitator between parents, students and the mentor.

“The commitment we are looking at is one year,” Moody said. “If it’s a good match, it might go into their sophomore or junior year.”

The school already has a well-established mentoring program that began more than two decades ago. This augmentation is intended to strengthen that effort.

The professionals we hire to manage and staff our school system need community support and involvement if their educational mission is to be fulfilled optimally. There are many ways Fort Dodgers can help make this town’s public schools better. Stepping forward to volunteer as a mentor could be among the most important. If you can help, call Moody at his office, 574-5469, or email him at cmoody@fdschools.org.