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Terrific Tuesdays
Terrific Tuesdays is a mentoring/befriending program linking Irving School with some nearby churches. Adult mentors from these churches meet for an hour after school with selected students. The primary goal is to establish caring adult relationships with the students while assisting them with homework and related school activities. The program allows mentors to meet students on a one-to-one basis. A substitute is provided if a mentor is unable to be there.
Each Tuesday session is divided into time for snacks and visiting, helping with homework or tutoring in a recommended subject area, and playing an educational game. Each 10-15 week session ends with a party, and children receive a gift bag from the mentors.
Those children living too far from Irving to walk home are transported on the Second Presbyterian Church bus or are picked up by parents.
Although there have been some academic and social benefits by the principal and teachers, perhaps the greatest reward has been in seeing the children's expressions as they enter the cafeteria and find their adult friend waiting for them. Some close friendships have been formed and the children have gained confidence in knowing that someone cares about them and their progress in school.
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