Mother - Daughter Program

ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION

Recruitment
Students are identified in sixth grade through recommendations from middle school counselors and teachers. Members of the participating schools’ faculty and staff may nominate students by completing the KEYSS Nominating Form and submitting them to the campus faculty/staff sponsor.

Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for selection to the program, a student must:
• be Hispanic/Minority
• be female
• possess an overall grade average of 75 or higher
• exhibit a cooperative attitude
• attend school regularly
Preference is given to students who will be the first in their families to finish high school and continue their education.

Selection
After receiving the list of recommended students (preferably no more than 30 per school), campus sponsors will arrange a meeting with the students, give information on the program, and distribute forms for the students to complete with their mothers or mother figures.

Once applications are completed and returned, the sponsors will review the applications to determine each student’s eligibility for the program. The sponsors may choose to interview the applicants or to speak with their mothers.

Sponsors will ultimately choose 15 girls and three alternates per sixth grade class for each school in the KEYSS program.

Notification
Acceptance letters and meeting invitations will be sent home with each girl who is accepted into the program. A meeting will be scheduled for the mothers and students as an orientation and a chance to ask questions about the program before committing to participate. Sponsors may choose to meet with mothers individually or in small groups.

Program Retention
Each student may remain in the KEYSS program each year as long as she:
• remains in good standing (75 average and above)
• meets school attendance requirements (90% state rule)
• attends all required KEYSS program events with her mother or mother figure
• demonstrates a cooperative attitude
• completes the minimum number of volunteer service hours (10 per year)
• participates in at least one extra-curricular activity in or outside of school

Confidentiality
Information regarding students and their families used in the selection process will be kept confidential by the KEYSS program staff.