Spartan Circle connects middle schoolers to mentors
Spartan Circle is a unique collaboration underway in the Gates Chili community. It aims to match middle school students with role models; including our own high school students and adult role models in our area.
This year, Spartan Circle is pairing up with the Town of Gates Recreation and Parks Department. This will create a safe and structured environment for students to meet with their peers and connect with encouraging adults from the community.
While the program’s roots began as a mentoring program, it has since shifted to be more active and informal to make it open to more students. It centers around monthly events at the Gates Rec Center on Buffalo Road, but also includes community activities. In the past, events have included Amerks and Red Wings games, martial arts and sports career nights, game nights and service projects.
Just as GCCSD prides itself on being a united community, so do the towns surrounding our campus. In a collaboration with local organizations, Spartan Circle provides the meeting point between the two.
“Our ultimate goal is to help students build relationships within their community. Many of our adult volunteers are alumni who want to support and give back to the school by supporting current students.
"This year we are having high school students volunteer so they can give back to help middle school students grow their community and be better supported,” shared Costa Tavelaris, Gates Chili Middle School assistant principal. He explained those efforts complete the circle of supporting and strengthening the entire community.