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900 students benefit from 1-on-1 tutoring
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The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 16.

But Manteca Unified youngsters looking to enroll in Give Every Child A Chance’s mentor-tutor program can do so right now.

That’s according to its program director Jamie Anderson, who noted Friday that the mentors and tutors often become involved in a mini collaboration of sort.

“Together, they work on academics and attitudes,” said Anderson at the GECAC office at 322 Sun West Place in Manteca. “It’s the relationships that make for the success of the program.”

The program in Manteca is made up of some 900 students, 338 tutors, and 29 sites including Manteca High, East Union, and Sierra.

The mentor-tutor program is available to first- through 12th- grade youngsters.

Students and their mentor-tutor – folks here range in age, from fifth-grade students to senior citizens – meet two days a week for an hour each time, working on core subjects: math, language arts, sciences, etc.

In order to qualify, they’re required to provide proof of their academic struggles. Students must have poor grades – “Ds” or “Fs” – from the third trimester of the previous year or be of special needs.

Anderson indicated that it’s not unusual for students to return as mentor-tutors. “They understand more than anyone the impact of this program,” she said.

The mentor-tutor program is free of charge to qualifying students. They can enroll at their respective school sites or online at www.gecac.net.

Meanwhile, GECAC’s afterschool program is entering its sixth year.

Enrollment begins on the first day of school, Aug. 16, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. Program director Oscar Munguia noted each of six afterschool sites – Lincoln, French Camp, Shasta, Golden West, Sequoia and Lathrop elementary schools – are capped at about 125 students.

The afterschool program is also free and open to first- through eighth-grade students at the aforementioned six sites.

“This is also an enrichment program,” Munguia said.

 Students can receive help on their homework, listen to the various guest speakers, or take part in the clubs and recreational sports.

Munguia is currently in search of guest speakers for this year.

Last year, for example, he had folks coming in to do displays on cooking, hip hop dancing, and Tahitian dancing.

“We also had someone bring their animals here,” he said.

Information on the program is available at the participating school sites or by calling GECAC at 209-825-7003.