The News-Gazette.com: Tutoring program bright spot for kids

Tutoring program bright spot for kids

By Meg Thilmony

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Rankin kids don't have much to do when they get home from school.

And the summertime is worse, especially for those in families that move around a lot.

Robin Eighner, Rankin resident and school psychologist at Hoopeston Area, saw potential in that problem when she started Bright Star tutoring in Rankin. So she applied for a grant to provide materials and snacks for an after-school program through Rankin's Grace Lutheran Church and its synod.

Three years later, Bright Star is touching about 50 Rankin kids and has even grown into a twice-weekly summer program.

"The kids love it, especially in the summer," Eighner said. "There's just nothing for them to do in town." Eighner and several adults meet students every Wednesday night for homework help at Rankin's United Methodist Church.

This semester, they're hoping to plan another night full of learning activities during the summer program, which takes place in the Lion's Club building. Those included activities with words, reading and math problems.

And it's cherished by the children who attend, Eighner said.

"One of our girls who ... was in seventh or eighth grade was bummed when the summer program ended, 'cause there just isn't anything for them to do," she said.