Maple Elementary of Dorchester County to Get Academic Boost

New note to editor: Thank you for your patience Adam! Hopefully, I think I have it correct now, indicating I got the information from a personal interview. Re-reading your comments just now, I think I will also insert the phrase "with me" ("in an interview with me") to make sure readers knew I was there. Being a former a reporter for a local paper, I'm not used to doing this, being trained that there should never be a personal reference in news reporting. However, I understand the Internet is a different medium so I will try to remember to add that phrase. Again, thank you for your patience.

An academic boost is planned to be offered to all Maple Elementary students of Dorchester County, Maryland. During a personal interview with me on Monday, November 8, Octavene Saunders of the Pine Street Committee (PSC) explained that Community Tutoring, Inc. of Upper Marlboro, Maryland received funding to assist the school. She said that in an effort to reach as many students as possible for this free program, after-school tutoring sessions will be held at both Maple Elementary School and at the Empowerment Center, 615B Pine Street, in Cambridge in partnership with the PSC.

Tutoring sessions are expected to begin in early December and continue to June. Information about this program will be presented during a free dinner for Maple Elementary parents and students on November 19 at 6:30PM at the Empowerment Center.

"At this free dinner we will be trying to enroll students, encourage the parents and explain the program," said Mrs Saunders during my interview with her at the Empowerment Center.

"We need a minimum of 23 enrolled and participating students at the Empowerment Center. We would like to have the tutoring sessions once they begin in December from 3:30PM to 5:30PM on Mondays and Wednesdays," she said.

She said, the non-profit organization Community Tutoring, Inc. will be hiring school teachers that must be accredited through the state of Maryland. Community Tutoring, Inc. states its curriculum is grounded in the fundamentals of reading, writing, and mathematics, and that its goal is to help all public school students, regardless of race, economic status, and/or ability to pass state mandated tests.

Established in 1999, the organization has provided educational enrichment to students after school and during the summer. Since that time, Community Tutoring states it has expanded to include Summit Summer Camp, Closing the Gap Before/After Care programs, Leadership Academies, and Supplemental Educational Services. Additional information about Community Tutoring, Inc. may be had by visiting www.communitytutoring.org on the Internet.

The Pine Street Committee's partnering with Community Tutoring to assist Maple Elementary students is another of the many endeavors of the organization to provide safe educational activities for area youth. Those needing more information about the outreach at the Empowerment Center may call Octavene Saunders at (410) 901-1397 or (410) 228-2250.