Community to 'adopt' young males

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7: A school is taking direct action to ease the plight of young males.

Some 45 students are to be ‘adopted’ by a community group that will assist with their progress through school and broaden and nurture their skills and interests.

It comes in response to the Mincy and Hopkins reports which highlighted high dropout rates for black males.

Tomorrow will see the induction of 45 M2 students into the Scholar Athlete/Arts Leadership Academy (SAAL), created by Sandys 360 Community Centre.

Organizers hope it will be the first of many induction ceremonies.

Director Melvyn Bassett cites the need to address “the plight” of Bermuda’s young black male population.

It is hoped as the young boys achieve academic success they will avoid becoming wall-sitters or involved in gangs.

He says all the boys will be supported through academic tutorial support and by way of mandatory involvement in a community arts or sports programme.

Coaches and counsellors will work together with the Sandys 360 education director to keep the students on track.

Dr Bassett says the aim is to help prepare them to be eligible for college scholarships.

Data will be collected on the boys as they progress through the programme through their senior year and hopefully through university.

They will be given a lot of support as many in the community have pledged to help these young boys.

The Western Economic Empowerment Zone, Mirrors, Passport to College and Cambridge Beaches Hotel and Spa are among the major sponsors of this initiative.

Field trips

The afterschool curriculum addresses basic academic development and includes field trips, lectures, interactive sports, visual and performing art activities, along with leadership skills.

Dr. Bassett says as the boys progress through the programme, new and different activities will be added to help them develop a more varied skill set.

The induction ceremony will take place on Thursday at a special luncheon held at the Sandys 360 gym.