In a continuing effort to broaden the learning experience for Pine Island fourth and fifth grade students, members of the after-school program, SAS, are currently seeking volunteer mentors for the upcoming school year. Recognizing the success of its first semester, Students Achieving Success has realized the need to expand and offer the program to even more students this year.

“Our first year we were able to bring the program to 10 Pine Island Elementary School students thanks to space provided to us by the Beacon of HOPE and the generosity of our volunteer mentors,” said SAS member Elsie Stearns. “This year we are working on acquiring additional space in Bokeelia and hope to offer the program to an additional 40 students which also will require additional mentors. It also is our hope that last year’s volunteers will return to help again this year as well.”

The program at the Beacon is offered after school during two sessions from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Five students attend the program on Monday and Wednesday and another five on Tuesday and Thursday. According to Stearns, the Bokeelia program will be offered on the same days with 20 students per session. During last year’s program SAS had 14 volunteers who made a commitment of two day a week.

“We like to make sure that there are no more than two students for every mentor and that the mentors work with the same students each week,” Stearns said. “That way the student and the mentor get to know one another and develop a good working relationship.”

Not meant to serve as a tutoring session, but more of an enrichment program, students invited to attend the SAS program are recommended by teachers who feel certain children would benefit from the exposure to programs they would not normally find in the formal classroom environment.

“In addition to our regular volunteers, we also had others who would come in to share special programs,” said Stearns. “Last year for example, we had a yoga instructor come in as well as a program presented by an African drum and dance troupe.”

According to Stearns the goal of SAS is to improve motivation, enhance the student’s performance and to build self esteem.

The program was initiated by island resident, Dr. Jim Cole who found the increasing number of student dropouts in the state of Florida alarming. Cole had been familiar with similar programs in other parts of the country and felt that the program would benefit some of the students at Pine Island Elementary.

“Our goal is to help better prepare island students to face the educational challenges that lay ahead. It is well known that strong skills learned while in elementary school will help to improve the odds that a student will remain in school until high school graduation,” Cole said. “Our hope is that with the support of the community, we will help to provide the elements needed to support students who need help to succeed.”

The tentative date for the start of this year’s SAS program is Sept. 15, and members of the SAS committee will be on hand at the Pine Island Elementary School Open House on Aug. 19, to answer questions from parents as well as potential volunteers.

Prior educational experience for volunteers is not necessary, however, all applicants will be subject to state and federal background checks. For more information about becoming an SAS volunteer mentor, call Elsie Stearns at 283-1480 or Carlyn Herring at 282-5610.