Westbury School District students are being encouraged to get an early start in pursuing their dreams for a higher education through an after school mentoring program known as MPowering Kids. Implemented in the district last year, MPowering Kids offers Drexel Avenue students mentoring, tutoring and cultural enrichment through a different type of after-school program.

Now entering its second year, MPowering Kids, which is run through private funding out of the Drexel Avenue School, is designed to bolster academic achievement and provide college preparation for promising students in economically disadvantaged communities.

During the school year, participating students are required to attend the MPowering Kids program three to five days a week. While the program creates connections with the traditional school-day curriculum and instruction, it doesn't duplicate it. Instead, MPowering Kids offers activities that stress skill acquisition, problem solving and nurturing relations with caring adults.

Enrollment in the MPowering Kids program begins in fourth grade and follows through to high school. Over the course of the nine years, students acquire the skills, habits and attitudes necessary to succeed in college and in life. The program also creates a culture of achievement, characterized by high academic and behavioral standards and complemented by a warm and caring support team.

MPowering Kids' staff and volunteers work with the students for nine years, from fourth through 12th grade. Each school year, another group of fourth graders will be added to the program. During the 2002-2003 school year, there were 16 fourth-grade children enrolled in the MPowering Kids program at Drexel School. As a result, there will be almost 150 students, ranging from fourth grade to 12th grade, involved with the MPowering Kids program by 2010.

The program is designed to change with the needs of the students. While fourth graders may need more recreation mixed with the academics, a seventh grader may need heavy mentoring to get through adolescence and a 10th grader will need SAT preparation and interview skills. Mentors follow the students from fourth grade through high school graduation, focusing them on the goal of going to college and supplying them with the necessary tools for success. The program also involves students in community service projects and recreational outings, as well as providing students with test preparation and a guest speaker series.

"We've seen so much enthusiasm and progress with these students already after just one year of the program," said Susan R. Marshall, MPowering Kids' founder and president. "We're excited to have the next class of fourth graders join the MPowering Kids program. I can already see a difference in the students."

Through the MPowering Kids program, the goal is to help students get admitted to the college of their choice and to have secured the financial aid and scholarships necessary to make it possible for them to achieve their long-held goal of acquiring an undergraduate education."

Setting high standards for attendance, discipline and academic achievement will enable MPowering Kids to reach its goal of enhancing the grades and skills of its participants. Further, MPowering Kids continually strives to improve upon a student's areas of weakness and upkeep areas in which the students are already performing well. The program stresses that with increased performance comes increased self-confidence, which can only benefit participants.

"The program supplements traditional school-day curriculum and instruction by offering activities that stress skill acquisitions, problem solving and nurturing relations with caring adults," said Marshall. "We're trying to make it fun and educational."

Dr. Constance Clark, superintendent of Westbury School, said, "MPowering Kids is a truly unique, educational experience. I look forward to the continuing partnership between the Westbury School District and MPowering Kids."

To celebrate the success of the program's first year, members of MPowering Kids' Class of 2003 - those students who were in fourth grade during the 2002-03 school year - and their families welcomed the incoming class of MPowering Kids students during a picnic celebration at Drexel Avenue on July 12. Over 125 people attended, including Drexel teachers, MPowering Kids volunteers, staff members and associations. During the celebration, students played some physically challenging games and, along with their parents, enjoyed an array of picnic and barbecued foods.

"I congratulate all the MPowering Kids students in the Class of 2003 who worked so hard during the past year," said Dr. Clark. "Not only will those students be returning for their second year in the program in the fall 2003, but we will also be welcoming a new class of fourth grade students into the program at the same time."

Marshall added, "We've seen so much enthusiasm and progress with these students already after just one year of the program. We're excited to have the next class of fourth graders join the MPowering Kids program."

Funding for the program's first year was provided by Marshall and, through a partnership with the Westbury School District, MPowering Kids was provided after-school and office space as well as bus transportation. Marshall is seeking to raise money through private foundations, family foundations, individual donors and corporations so that the program and its offerings can be expanded.

Recently, MPowering Kids received a generous grant from the Harnisch Family Foundation, a longtime supporter of educational programs. The grants will be used to fund the ongoing activities sponsored by MPowering Kids, including mentoring, tutoring and cultural enrichment programs.

"We are very pleased and honored that the Harnisch Family Foundation has chosen to support MPowering Kids," said Marshall. "The funding from sponsors such as the Harnisch Family Foundation enables us to help our students acquire the skills, habits and attitudes necessary to succeed in college and in life."

According to Ruth Ann Harnisch, founder of the foundation, "The MPowering Kids program, which offers ongoing education, support and guidance to students from fourth grade through high school graduation helps young students develop the skills they need to be successful in life. My motto is 'If people knew better, they'd do better.'"

MPowering Kids provides both one-on-one and group tutoring. During one-on-one sessions, tutors offer homework assistance, long-term academic project help and work to improve students' reading, listening and thinking skills. On days that a participant is not meeting with his/her individual tutor, staff offer reading, math and science enrichment activities and instruction in improving study habits, time management and organizational skills. MPowering Kids will match each child with a positive role model who serves as a friend, confidant and critical source of support and guidance during his/her school year. Students meet with their mentors a minimum of two hours each week. Mentors and students may participate in an extensive array of activities ranging from athletics, attending cultural events, gardening, arts and crafts, cooking meals together, or simply taking a walk and talking. MPowering Kids is committed to providing services to its participants. In return, students are required to give back by helping others. Participants will learn the art of philanthropy by working with the elderly, young children, and the community at large Once a month, MPowering Kids organizes a special outing, such as visiting museums, touring historical sites, attending musical concerts or participating in a ropes course. Every other month, parents/guardians and siblings of MPowering Kids enrollees will be invited to participate. The goal is to foster a "club" atmosphere and sense of belonging, peer acceptance and pride in the organization.

Guest speakers provide a break in the usual routine, as well as speak on such topics as careers, cultural experiences, community service opportunities and health and social issues.

For additional information on MPowering Kids program, visit www.mpoweringkids.org or call 876-6875.