Last week a small group of concerned citizens held a meeting to form a new task force for education. Calling themselves Student Academic Success (SAS), these concerned individuals addressed the need for the mentoring and tutoring students attending Pine Island Elementary School.

“This program will be geared to enhancing the education of Pine Island Elementary School students and giving the students the guidance and tools to be more successful students,” said committee member Jim Cole. “It is well documented that kids who are successful in school go on to have successful careers. In turn, these people go on to become taxpayers and not someone who taxpayers support.”

The idea of forming SAS was first addressed by Cole a year ago when he set the wheels in motion, but lacked the support needed to get the program off the ground. Recently he teamed with the Beacon of HOPE, which has agreed to help with the program and get it off the ground.

“I brought the concept of SAS to my board and they were more than happy to help and have made it a part as our mission,” said Beacon chair Betsy Heasemeyer. “This program will not only benefit the students and their families but the entire community as well. A child who does well in school is more apt to become a better citizen and that is what the program is striving to accomplish.”

In recent weeks, the Beacon had begun expanding its existing thrift store and office space and has since allocated a portion of the space to be used as a classroom for students to attend the SAS program.

“While the Beacon will not be providing staff or funding to the program, we are renovating a designated area for the classroom which we feel will be ready by the end of January,” said Heasemeyer. “At this point we have paint and carpeting, but are still hoping for donations of lumber to construct desks and to help with the finishing work that still needs to be done.”

The SAS task force also will be recruiting volunteers to serve as mentors and tutors for the third, fourth and fifth grade students.

“From our volunteers we only ask that they are comfortable interacting with kids and are willing to help guide them in their studies,” said Cole. “While retired teachers are welcome to apply, no previous educational training experience is a must, just a desire to make a difference in the life of a child.”

Those interested in volunteering as a tutor or mentor will be asked to fill out an application and will undergo an FBI background check to ensure the safety of the children and staff of the SAS program. Volunteers also must be willing to commit to a consistent schedule volunteering one day a week from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

SAS also is working closely with the staff of Pine Island Elementary School to identify students who would benefit from this program.

“We met recently with the school principal who agreed to have his educators recommend students for the program. Once that happens we will approach the parents of these students and explain how the program, which will be free of any cost to them, will benefit their student,” said Cole. “We also are working with the school to have the students dropped off at the Beacon by bus at the end of the school day and we are trying to acquire a bus to transport the children home if parents are unable to pick them up.”

Those interested in volunteering for the Student Academic Success program or for more information can call or e-mail Dr. Jim Cole at 919-608-8551 pvin@bellsouth.net or call Elsie Stearns at 283-140 or Carlyn Herring at 282-5610.