Novi Parent Group's Saturday Tutoring Program Aims to Expand

With growth and success in their Saturday tutoring programs, the Novi Community Schools Parents of African American Students in Novi (PAASN) group aims to expand the program. 

PAASN leader Steve Mims told school board members Thursday that the math enrichment program, open to grades K-12, now serves more than 40 students, up from about a half-dozen when it launched in 2009. A writing program that started last year serves 6 or 7 students in 5th-8th grades. 

Program costs are kept low through support from the Novi Educational Foundation, which provided $2,000 in 2012. Over four years, more than 100 students have participated, Mims said. He credits its success to the community, school officials and volunteers. 

"It's a real example of social justice paying off in the community," he said. 

The growth has organizers thinking about what's next. 

"One of the things we wanted to take on next is study skills enhancement," Mims said. "Any subject you have can benefit from that." The writing program is expected to expand next year as well. 

School board secretary Shari Lebo asked whether volunteers needed any particular qualifications, and Mims said even parents who aren't certified teachers can help. "It's all about what comfort level you have with your level of math skills and how you can communicate that to the student," he said. 

To volunteer or learn more about the program, contact Mims, 248-219-0099.