While a variety of mentorship opportunities are offered through the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. each year, administrators and community stakeholders are still always looking for new, better ways to serve students.
Thanks to recent efforts, students of color will have more opportunities starting today.
BCSC multicultural director Kimberly Easton and Pastor Johnnie Edwards, president of the Columbus/Bartholomew County Area Chapter of the NAACP, recently announced they’re working together to create Gateway to a Connected Community.
Edwards said the goal of the mentor partnership, which is free to participants, is to build stronger relationships between families and the school district and connect Black, brown and biracial students with mentors.
Mentors will be able to help students in a variety of ways such as providing guidance, serving as role models, mediating with the school district if necessary, aiding students with their educational needs and supporting them at extracurricular events.
Students that have filled-out permission slips are meeting mentors and learning about the mentor partnership for the first time today. Edwards said that parents will also have a chance to learn more about the mentor partnership and sign up during the Juneteenth Ethnic Expo event.
At the moment, the mentor partnership is focused on Central Middle School, but the hope is to create a model that grows within the district and beyond.
Not only will the program benefit local youth, but the adults that form bonds with the students.
Hopefully Gateway to a Connected will provide stronger bonds within the community, and lifelong relationships that will lead to brighter futures.
We commend those that have gotten the mentor partnership off the ground, and look forward to seeing how it positively impacts Bartholomew County.
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To obtain a permission slip for the mentor partnership, reach out to BCSC or the NAACP.
Families can contact the local NAACP chapter by calling 812-376-3001 or emailing naacp.barth3071@gmail.com
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