Last week, Annandale Terrace Elementary School students and staff participated in a heartwarming and enriching MentorWorks Project Bonding Event. Led by our Mentor Works Leader and school counselor, Jen Boyle, the event brought together student mentees and their staff mentors for a fun and educational experience focused on health and wellness.

In collaboration with the INOVA Healthy Plate Club, participants worked together to create delicious and nutritious smoothies. This hands-on activity highlighted the importance of healthy eating and teamwork, as students and mentors bonded while learning about balanced nutrition and the benefits of fresh ingredients. Guided by experts from the Healthy Plate Club, students discovered creative ways to incorporate fruits and vegetables into their daily routines.

The smoothie-making activity was not only educational but also a perfect opportunity for mentors and mentees to strengthen their connections. Laughter and conversation filled the room as everyone shared their favorite ingredients and blended together INOVA’s healthy spinach and pineapple smoothie!

“INOVA Healthy plate club offered our students online cooking classes during COVID, which prompted me to reach out and see if they would collaborate,” said Boyle. “This event provided opportunities not only for mentors and mentees to work in a group together, but also provided opportunities for staff to collaborate outside of their usual grade levels.”

The MentorWorks Project at Annandale Terrace Elementary School is designed to foster positive relationships between students and staff, promoting personal growth, confidence, and a strong sense of community. The mission of the MentorWorks program is to eliminate gaps in opportunity, access, and achievement through mentoring and to ensure that every FCPS student can name an adult they can talk to. Events like these showcase the power of mentorship in shaping well-rounded, healthy, and happy students.

1st grade teacher and mentor, Rana Aldhobhani, was one of the many who participated in the event. “I love working with the kids and having them know that they have a safe adult they can rely on.” said Aldhobhani. 

“I liked how the smoothies tasted and how we got to keep our chefs uniform at the end,” said fifth grade student, Kimberly. Kimberly is paired with second grade teacher Annie Dang. 

“I love being able to spend time with Kimberly now since she used to be one of my students in second grade,” Dang said. 

Third Grader, K’amoni stated, “I loved pouring the pineapples into the blender and being able to taste the little green things [spinach].” 

A big thank you to INOVA Healthy Plate Club for their partnership and to all the mentors and mentees who participated. Here’s to more exciting opportunities for learning, growing, and bonding at Annandale Terrace Elementary School!