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Foster Grandparent Program in Syracuse Sets a First Ever Goal

John Smith/WAER News

The Syracuse City School District is launching a first of a kind project with a goal of bringing Foster Grandparents to every first and second grade classroom. No other city nationwide has attempted the feat.
  

Organizers say Foster Grandparents at schools make a difference to a child’s educational studies and performance by serving as role models, mentors and friends.  Wendy Spencer is the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service based in Washington. She says the foster grandparents also help out teachers with students who don’t come to school prepared to learn.

“They’ve got a lot of obstacles at home. Many have single parents. There are other things that are getting in the way of them being focused and being prepared to learn. That extra support from a Foster Grandparent will ensure that the teacher has every opportunity afforded to be able to meet their goals, their measure and be able to be a successful teacher.”

Credit John Smith/WAER News
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John Smith/WAER News
CEO of Wendy Spencer the Corporation for National and Community Service based in Washington, DC.

Spencer adds students will have the additional academic and emotional support. The federal agency has awarded Syracuse more than $743,000 for the program and the city school district approved funding last summer. Locally, Jeanne Brand is a retired teacher who enjoys seeing kids ’light up’ when they’ve learned something at Meacham Elementary.  She recalls helping a boy advance in Math and keeping him focused during a test.

“He finished 18 of the problems that day… AND they were all correct. So, he really could do it. And it made it feel him feel so good. Because after that, I called him my Supreme Little Math Matician and that made him feel fantastic because now he could do the Math.” 
 
Reverend Steve Walker of Southern Missionary Baptist Church is getting geared up for the program. A total of 131 classrooms in the City School District need Foster Grandparents. Volunteers receive an hourly stipend and breakfast and lunch. To learn more, contact Peace Incorporated in Syracuse at 470-3300.

John Smith has been waking up WAER listeners for a long time as our Local Co-Host of Morning Edition with timely news and information, working alongside student Sportscasters from the Newhouse School.