Mayor Menino and Superintendent Payzant Kick Off Academic Mentoring Program

Mayor Thomas Menino and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Payzant joined Boston non-profits, Generations Incorporated and Boston Partners in Education Tuesday morning in Roxbury to kickoff their collaborative academic mentoring program at the Maurice J. Tobin Elementary School.

The event celebrated the launch of the Math and Literacy Project. The project is designed to connect 4th and 5th grade students of Roxbury with trained older adult mentors who provide academic tutoring and build positive relationships that encourage students to develop self-confidence and a desire to achieve. The program has been funded by the Department of Education and the Riley Foundation.

"I am proud to help announce this partnership between Boston Partners in Education and Generations Incorporated," said Mayor Menino, "two organizations that have come together to provide valuable tutoring and mentoring to students."

The Math and Literacy Project is currently in place at four Boston Public Schools; The Tobin Elementary School, The Nathan Hale Elementary School, and the Orchard Gardens Pilot School, all in Roxbury, and the newest addition, the John Marshall Elementary School in Dorchester.

Present in the audience, were students, teachers and several Experience Corps Volunteers who serve in 13 of the Boston Public Schools and 4 After-School sites. "Our children are very special to this city, and they need all the guidance we can possibly give them," said the Mayor.

The kick-off closed with the presentation of certificates of achievement, handed out by the Mayor and Superintendent to each of the students and volunteers participating in the Math & Literacy Project at the Tobin Elementary School. Principals from the Hale and Orchard Gardens were also on hand to represent the program at their schools.

About Generations Incorporated
Generations Incorporated is a 15 year-old non-profit organization that unites youth and older adults in service to strengthen individuals and communities. They join these two groups in public schools and Boys and Girls Clubs, so children can get the individual attention they need. Generations Incorporated is a partner with Experience Corps®, a national movement that mobilizes older adults in service to make a difference in the lives of young people. Anyone over the age of 55 can volunteer with Generations Incorporated. For more information, call Katie Klister at 617-399 4700, or visit the web site at www.generationsinc.org.

About Boston Partners in Education
Boston Partners in Education is the area's oldest and largest school volunteer organization. For more than forty years, Boston Partners in Education has partnered with the Boston Public School system to support student achievement and advancement through tutoring and mentoring programs. It is the only local school volunteer organization that recruits, trains, places, and supports volunteers in ALL grade levels (K-12) to tutor and mentor students in mathematics and literacy. The organization's initiatives aim to help Boston students become strong, competent, and confident and serve as a stepping stone toward personal and professional fulfillment. For more information on Boston Partners in Education, or to volunteer or support our work, visit us at www.bostonpartners.org.