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Summer Tutoring Program Aids Students
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More than a dozen local students got a head start on making their school year a success, taking part in the summer tutoring program offered through Give Every Child A Chance and hosted at the Trinity Church in Escalon.

"It's one on one mentor tutoring," explained Oscar Munguia, who serves as the After School Program Coordinator with the Give Every Child A Chance organization.

A staff member, supported by volunteers, worked with the students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. through the summer program, starting in mid-June and wrapping up with the final session on Thursday, July 30.

Each tutor worked with a couple of students.

"They assisted them with subjects they were struggling or failing in," Munguia explained.

In order to get in to the summer tutoring program, students had to have a teacher referral, an IEP (Individualized Educational Program) or have a 'D' or 'F' in a subject. The bulk of the students receiving the tutoring were those in elementary up through eighth grade.

Church officials said they were happy to provide space for the summer tutoring program, with the students and tutors utilizing rooms at the California Avenue church two days a week.

Munguia said program officials were very appreciative of the church opening their doors, giving them a place to meet to help students get caught up and ready for the upcoming school year.

"I think the summer (program) went really well," Munguia added. "We've gotten a good response."

Give Every Child A Chance also offers an after school program at El Portal during the school year and tutoring after school at Dent Elementary.

"This year we're opening a (tutoring) site at El Portal as well, in the beginning of September," Munguia explained.

Tutoring at Dent last year ran on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will continue this school year. At El Portal, the new program for at risk students needing some extra tutoring help will run Mondays through Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

While there are some staff members dedicated to the sites in Escalon, coming from the program base in Manteca, Munguia said they are always looking for additional volunteers to bulk up the tutoring corps.

"The more volunteers we get, the more students we can serve," he said. "We're always looking for volunteers out there."

Those students that participated in the summer tutoring program will have priority for spots in the school year tutoring, said Munguia.

The program is funded through grants and various fundraising and the after school program at El Portal will kick off with the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 17. For more information, contact Munguia at 825-7003.