IMANI 2011-2012 Programs are in Full Swing

October 10, 2011 - From literature circles to peer support, study groups and one-on-one mentoring through the college application process, our 2011-2012 educational support programs for students in grades K through 12 are up and running throughout the Montclair School District.

Mini IMANI Literature Circles for students in Grades K-5 meet two Sunday afternoons a month in the fall and spring from 3:30 to 4:30 PM at the Charles H. Bullock School on Washington Street. Divided by age level into discussion groups led by parent facilitators, the students read age-appropriate, culturally relevant books and participate in fun activities that help develop a love of reading, storytelling and literature. Visits from authors and illustrators give students the opportunity to learn more about the books they are reading. Last year, Mini IMANI students participated in a live webcast with Faith Ringgold. Best known for her painted story quilts, Ringgold has written and illustrated 17 books for children, including Tar Beach and Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky.

Registration is now open for the Fall Session, which begins with a Parent-Child Information Session on Sunday, October 16th and runs through December 18th. The program fee is $20 for 1 child and $25 for 2 or more children from same family. To sign up for Mini IMANI, mail the registration form with payment to IMANI, 73 South Fullerton Ave., Montclair, NJ 07042. Registration forms and payment will also be accepted at the first session on October 16th.

Middle IMANI, a mentoring program for African American boys in Grades 6-10, kicks off this year with a parent meeting on Friday, October 28th. The program, which brings together students from Montclair’s three middle schools for a weekly study session reinforcing language arts and literacy skills, runs through the school year and culminates with the end-of-year celebration on Sunday, June 3, 2012.

Led by program facilitator Takeem Dean, who also serves as Assistant to the Dean for the College of Education and Human Services (CEHS) at Montclair State University, Middle IMANI is designed to support young men of color and keep them focused on academics as they navigate the critical transition between middle school and high school. Social interaction is an essential component of Middle IMANI, leading to the development of a peer support system that enhances self esteem and fosters greater interest in schoolwork and related activities. Dean, who established a residential community at Montclair State to assist first-year male students with their transition to college life, has been instrumental in organizing a Middle IMANI leadership initiative in partnership with MSU.

Plans are in the works to add a second weekly meeting day when students will come to the IMANI Program Center to participate in an online Algebra I readiness program modeled after the highly successful skill-building curriculum introduced by IMANI this past summer for 8th graders entering high school in the fall.
Middle IMANI is offered at no cost to participants, who are referred by their teachers and guidance counselors. If your child has been recommended for this program, please complete the application form.

IMANI Study Groups for students in Grades 9-12 will begin meeting on Sunday, October 30th. The groups meet on Sunday afternoons from 2-4 PM at the Montclair Public Library. Students who need help with Math, English, Science, and/or History meet in small groups of 5-8 to work with their peers and certified teachers. Students may sign up for 1 or 2 study groups each Sunday.

There will be two sessions during the 2011-2012 school year: Session I from October through February, and Session II from March to June. While attending study group meetings every week has been shown to dramatically improve student achievement, students are welcome to enroll at any time.

IMANI is able to offer the study groups at a substantially reduced rate of $50 per session ($100 for the entire year) since the Montclair Board of Education reinstated funding for IMANI programs. “This is a real bargain for high-quality, tutor-facilitated study groups,” said IMANI executive director JoAnn McCullough. McCullough hopes that the lower registration fee will encourage a greater number of targeted students to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to get expert instructional support from certified high school teachers and professional tutors.

To enroll in IMANI Study Groups, complete the registration form and mail it with payment to IMANI, 73 South Fullerton Ave., Montclair, NJ 07042. New students may also register on-site at the Montclair Public Library on Sunday afternoons between 1:30 and 2:00 pm, prior to the start of the study group meeting.

The IMANI College Advocacy Center has been a hotbed of activity since the beginning of September when Montclair High School seniors started coming in for assistance with their college applications. After meeting with Center director JoAnn McCullough to discuss their college plans and aspirations, students are matched with trained mentors and essay coaches who help them refine their college lists, write and revise application essays and personal statements, and complete all steps in the college application process. McCullough also advises students and families on how to find schools that are the best fit for the student’s interests and academic profile, and addresses concerns about financing the cost of college.

Now in its 8th year, the IMANI College Advocacy Center has helped hundreds of minority students gain admission to college, with the majority enrolling in 4-year colleges and universities. More than 75% of these students were the first in the families to attend college, and were admitted to their first choice school.

With early decision, early-action, and priority admission deadlines fast approaching, students who have not yet started on their applications—or need help at any point in the college search or admissions process — are urged to call or come by the College Advocacy Center. The recently-expanded facility, which is located on the second floor of St. Luke’s Church, at 73 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair, is equipped with computer work stations, private meeting areas, and a snack room. The Center’s services are provided free of charge to all Montclair High School students.

For more information about IMANI programs and services, please call (973) 509-2822, email info@imaniprograms.org, or click on the "Programs" tab in the navigation bar, above.