BSD launches tutoring, mentoring program
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Brandon School Division has launched the NorthStar Program, a new after-school tutoring and mentoring initiative.
The program, which will begin this year with a cohort of Grade 9 students, is designed to help high school students achieve academic and personal success and is expected to expand as the initial group progresses through high school.
The initiative responds to a recognized gap in student support during the critical transition into high school, assistant superintendent of student services Susan Gilleshammer told the Sun on Monday.
Susan Gilleshammer, assistant superintendent of student Services for the Brandon School Division, stands outside the BSD Administrative Office on Sixth Street in Brandon on Monday. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
“Beginning in Grade 9 allows the division to connect with students early in their high school experience, helping them build strong academic habits, confidence and a sense of belonging that supports long-term success,” she said in an email.
“The NorthStar Program will provide after-school tutoring, mentorship and additional supports to help students stay engaged with their learning and their school community.”
The program is made possible through the Bright Futures expansion grant from Manitoba’s Department of Education and Early Childhood Learning, which funds similar initiatives for high school students in Winnipeg, she said.
Initially, approximately 50-60 students will participate in the first cohort, and participants will be selected in collaboration with teachers, student services staff and families to ensure the program reaches those who can benefit most, Gilleshammer said.
“Beginning with a smaller cohort allows us to launch thoughtfully, learn from the first group of students and guide future decisions about growth and long-term integration into student support services,” she said.
Success for the NorthStar Program, she said, will be measured using both quantitative and qualitative benchmarks, including attendance, credit completion, academic achievement, graduation rates and feedback from students and parents on confidence, engagement and progress toward personal goals.
“Together, these measures will help provide a comprehensive picture of how the program supports students academically while also strengthening their connection to school and their future pathways,” she said.
“If the NorthStar Program proves successful, we would certainly be interested in expanding the model so that more students can benefit.”
The NorthStar Program represents Brandon School Division’s commitment to supporting students not only academically, but also socially and personally, as they navigate the pivotal years of high school, she said.
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