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One way to help

Posted on June 4, 2009 by Staff

Steve Peha (“From gap to chasm,” May 7) points out that the Chapel Hill/Carrboro schools’ achievement gap between white and black students is greater than ever this year. He concludes that if nothing is done about it, it will be a foregone conclusion that bank account size or skin color will be the determinants of a student’s success in school.

Well, what can we do about it? The schools have sincerely tried to raise scores, but the gap widens. Let me suggest that we try a Boys & Girls Club in this town. Can you believe that not one club exists in all of Orange County? Boys & Girls Clubs of America have a proven record of success in raising school performance where ever they exist. Club youth are more likely to attend college and 90 percent of club members graduate from high school – a higher rate than the national average.

Almost half of youth who were on the fringes of gang behavior who joined a Boys & Girls Club demonstrated improved school behavior and more than a third showed improved grades (from a Boys & Girls Clubs of America study done in 2008). A Florida TaxWatch study in 2005 also showed improved academic performance of club members, with lower rates of absenteeism at all grade levels, lower drop-out rates and significantly lower rates of criminal offenses. This success can be explained by the fact that Boys & Girls Clubs emphasize study, homework and success in school as one of their five areas of focus, along with character and leadership development, health and life skills, the arts and sports and fitness.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Orange, under the auspices of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, has an enthusiastic and competent board, working to open a club in our area. The first club will open in Chapel Hill before the end of the year and we hope to expand to northern Orange County as well. But we need the support of the community to accomplish our goal. Our Founders Campaign is in full swing and we must raise $250,000 to hire staff and open the program. If you would like to learn more about our vision and why these clubs work, and/or if you would like to support our campaign, please contact me at 967-4264. I love to talk about this wonderful program and why I am so sure it will improve the life of our community and our students.

Marywinne Sherwood
Carrboro

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