MERIDIAN — Building on the principals of the African proverb "It takes a village to raise a child," a new tutoring and mentoring program is seeking volunteers from the community to help students in the Meridian Public School District.
A recruitment session will be held today for the Study Buddy Tutoring/Mentoring Program at the Housing Authority office. Similar to the Big Brother/Big Sister Program, Study Buddy encourages community involvement in the local school system.
"Teachers can't do it by themselves; they have to have help," said Teresa Hodges, program coordinator. "Times have changed so much – there's so many single-parent families as well as parents who work at night and many of the kids are just not retaining what they are learning."
Geared to students in grades K-12, Study Buddy's mission is to provide struggling students a healthy start and a healthy future through sharing the joy and love of learning, through the demonstration and compassion of caring volunteers and through the support of the community.
"Everybody was so passionate at the forums, and the meetings about the superintendent and the failing schools," Hodges said. "This is a way for the community to get involved and volunteer. Those schools in the district that are excelling are doing so because they have parental and community involvement."
Study Buddy volunteers meet a minimum of once per week one-on-one with a student in need to help with literacy, study skills, citizenship and exposure. Study Buddies are non-judgmental and generate enthusiasm for learning through consistency, nurturing, time investment and compassion. They also provide educational support and academic leadership.
Study Buddies strive to:
• Encourage attendance
• Promote literacy
• Build character
• Strengthen confidence
• Enhance study skills
• Provide mentoring and support
The program provides students tutoring, leadership skills and mentorship. Volunteers work with students on reading, writing, math and basic study skills. Each Study Buddy is paired with a struggling student and can stay with that student until he/she graduates.
"This is an in-school program based on the best time for the student, not the volunteer," Hodges noted. "Each volunteer is asked to give a minimum of one hour per week, however, if more time is needed, arrangements can be made with the school.
Criteria to qualify as a Study Buddy includes:
• 19 years of age or older
• High School Diploma
• Minimum one hour per week commitment
• Mature, reliable, stable and respectful
• Committed to helping a struggling youth
A Study Buddy can spend one hour per week or more with a student on school grounds, eat lunch with the student in the school cafeteria, attend school functions involving the student and award the student for good behavior and/or grades.
A Study Buddy cannot have any physical contact with a student, contact a student after school hours unless attending a school function, remove the student from the school grounds, visit the student at home or on the weekends and make arrangements to meet the student after school hours.
"Volunteers must complete an application and a background check is conducted," Hodges said.
Businesses are encouraged to also participate in the tutoring/mentoring program.
"We're asking businesses to support Study Buddy by allowing employees one hour a week to volunteer," said Hodges.
For those unable to attend the recruitment session, application packets are available at city schools or at the Meridian Public School District Central Office, 1019 25th Ave.
Study Buddy is approved by Meridian Public School District, however it is a separate program.
FYI
What: Recruitment session for Study Buddy Mentoring/Tutoring Program
When: Today, from
5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Where: Housing Authority office, 2305 D St.
Information: Contact Teresa Hodges, coordinator,
(601) 482-6552
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