Norris TeamMates

05/04/2026

Give to Lincoln Day is now live for donations to aid organizations. Norris TeamMates program is signed up.

Our program benefits from donations to help cover expenses. These include providing seniors a $500 scholarship for their continuing education. We also have activities to pay for: such as pumpkin painting and our end of the year celebration.

Please consider this assisting this wonderful program.
https://givetolincoln.com/nonprofits/norris-teammates

Norris School District #160

Norris TeamMates' vision is to help students reach their potential through mentoring by matching them with a caring and trusting adult who listens to their mentee to create a culture of hope and inspires them to do their best.

04/09/2026

There were many mentors, and interested people, who attended our yearly mentor appreciation luncheon at the end of March. It is a great time to get together, thank mentors, listen to successes and struggles and help each.

Norris is supportive and encourages the TeamMates program. There are many staff members and administrators who mentor. If you see someone you know in the pictures, reach out to them about their experience.

Thank you mentors.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, contact MaryAnn at [email protected] or go to the website teammates.org

02/10/2026

Norris TeamMates began in 2007. We are currently at 89 matches, with more students waiting. A child needs you to share your time and lend an ear. The time you share with them is more important to them than you realize.

With more matches also comes the need for donations. Every senior can apply for a $500 scholarship to apply to their continuing education, whatever that may be. This year we have 7 seniors. We also sponsor pumpkin painting and our end of the year celebration. Donations are tax deductible.

11/05/2025

Our mentors and mentees paint styrofoam pumpkins each year. Used to use real, but that started to create messes.

This year’s were exceptionally creative.

Thank you mentors for being there for the mentees.

10/31/2025

The Norris Chapter had a great evening at Hickman’s Trick or Treat on the trail tonight. Thanks to Torey, we were able to give a 1,000 books away. We appreciate all she did to make this special. She and her helpers put labels in every book. This was just some of the volunteers that helped out tonight.

We are always in need of mentors, a student would love having time with you each week.

10/08/2025

For our Mentors who need the reminder, what you do matters. Thank you
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05/05/2025

Norris TeamMates mentees, mentors gather for year end celebration.

On March 30th the Norris TeamMates program hosted a year-end celebration. Over 100 mentees, their families, mentors, and board members gathered to celebrate the end of another successful year.

Everyone enjoyed pizza and ice cream. After eating, mentees shared what they liked about having a mentor in their life. Many mentees stated they enjoyed having someone to sit and listen to them, and others enjoyed the activities. In addition there were two minute to win it games for the mentees to participate in. Many selected a special coin to allow them to get a book out of the vending machine. Norris was awarded a grant through TeamMates to get the machine and some books. Norris will be responsible for maintaining the supply.

The TeamMates program itself started in 1991. Norris joined the program in 2007. That first year there were only 3 matches. The Norris TeamMates program is finishing the year with 80 matches in grades 3-12. Getting mentors is what makes the program successful.

In addition to thanking all the mentors and board members, Lenny Vermaas was also recognized for his dedication to the program. Lenny was an integral part of getting the Norris TeamMates program started. He has been the president for all but 1 ½ years of the program’s existence. In addition he has been a site co-coordinator, mentor trainer, and organizer of much more.

Norris is always in need of mentors. To make a difference one child at a time requires anywhere from 30-60 minutes a week. For more information contact MaryAnn at [email protected] or go to the TeamMates website. teammates.org

04/15/2025

Should be good.
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Shonna Dorsey will be joining DeMo on TeamMates Timeout TONIGHT! She is the Executive Director of Nebraska Tech Collaborative and Scholarships & Internships for Aksarben Foundation.

Tune in on https://theticketfm.com or LIVE on The Ticket's Facebook or X profiles.

04/15/2025

DeMoines is great to listen to.

Shonna Dorsey will be joining DeMo on TeamMates Timeout TONIGHT! She is the Executive Director of Nebraska Tech Collaborative and Scholarships & Internships for Aksarben Foundation.

Tune in on https://theticketfm.com or LIVE on The Ticket's Facebook or X profiles.

02/21/2025

Another reason to encourage your family and friends to mentor.

It's not just about guiding a student— it's about growing together. Become a mentor and experience the joy of giving back, while gaining so much in return.

Join the Team. Be a Mentor.
Head to teammates.org to apply or learn more about our mission.

02/15/2025

The Norris program is excited to have gotten a grant to receive a book vending machine in the Intermediate building. Mentees were excited to use it. It will be used for PBIS incentives also.