Sisters for an hour a week

Local News

Related Photos

John Flavell

Discussion

November 8, 2009

Group hopes to expand

Mike James The Daily Independent Sun Nov 08, 2009, 02:19 PM EST

Catlettsburg — Autumn Fields had never played Scrabble before Wednesday.

Lucky she had her big sister to show her how.

Luckier still, her big sister is a college English instructor. Her name is Nicole Pramik.

Autumn, who is 10, laid down her tiles and looked up shyly at Pramik, who smiled back and said, “Good job.”

Those were welcome words to Autumn, who spends an hour a week with Pramik during school at Catlettsburg Elementary.

They’ve only known one another since May but already Autumn thinks of Pramik as a good friend, one she can depend on.

They spend their weekly hour reviewing schoolwork, playing games and talking things over, right there at school.

Pramik, who teaches English at Ashland Community and Technical College, met Autumn through the Big Brothers/Big Sisters school-based mentoring program. For some time she’d given thought to befriending and mentoring a young person, but her unpredictable teaching schedule made it difficult to block out the time she’d need for the organization’s community-based program.

Participants in that program typically spend at least a couple of hours at a time together during each visit, and can also interact by telephone and e-mail.

Being new to the program, Pramik was unsure just how far she was willing to go with it. The school-based program gave her a chance to get involved without the danger of making a commitment she wouldn’t be prepared to keep.

The aims of the school-based program are similar — to provide a child with an adult mentor who can help with schoolwork, have some fun and provide a willing ear. It takes an hour every week and all the visits happen at school, during school hours, said Erin Fannin, director of the Ashland Big Brothers/Big Sisters office.

Mentors aren’t expected to contact or meet with the children at other times. Some of them, however, find the relationship rewarding enough to expand their commitment and join the community-based program.

They are still getting to know each other, but already Autumn thinks of Pramik as a pal. “It’s awesome. I just like her — I like her as a friend,” she said shyly, between Scrabble turns.

She has two older sisters and two younger brothers at home, but Pramik is the friend that can help her with homework. And doing schoolwork with a friend makes things easier.

Autumn has shown improvement, especially in Kentucky history, said Susie Payne, her fourth-grade teacher. Payne attributes the improvement to the individual attention Pramik can provide.

The Ashland Big Brothers/Big Sisters office has only made a few school-based placements and would like to expand the program, Fannin said. Children waiting for mentors typically are from single-parent homes and generally aren’t problem kids, she said. Most are good students. “They could be kids with great potential but who need a person to talk to,” she said.

The organization likes to get local businesses interested. Often the businesses will allow employees to serve as mentors while they’re on the clock.

Under some circumstances college students can get credit for their mentoring activities.

For further inquiries about the program, Fannin can be reached at (606) 329-8799.

MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.

Text Only

Local News

Shepherd hopes to make ruling Tuesday
A Franklin circuit judge said Monday he hopes to issue a ruling by Tuesday on some lawmakers’ challenge to a state legislative redistricting plan passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Steve Beshear.

February 6, 2012
SLIDESHOW: Giants beat Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI The New York Giants won their fourth Super Bowl and eighth NFL championship Sunday in Indianapolis, scoring in the final minute to defeat New England 21-17.
February 6, 2012 1 Photo
APD receives various theft reports
The following information was taken from Ashland Police Department reports:

February 6, 2012
Russell team takes rival in regional
Russell Middle School academic team coach John VanHoose said everyone was feeling the pressure from season-long rivals Verity Middle School as members worked to claim top scores during Saturday’s Region 18 Middle School Governor’s Cup competition.

February 6, 2012
Family traditions
Ralph Stanley II doesn’t complain when people talk about his daddy.

February 6, 2012
KSP trooper to perform in tribute concert
A Kentucky State Police trooper will trade his gray uniform for a sequined white jumpsuit next month to raise money to assist a cancer patient and several other causes.

February 6, 2012
What's happening: 2/6/12
The Kyova branch of the Boyd County Public Librart will host the Tax-Aide Program, conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons, from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays.

February 5, 2012
Spirit strong for community event
Ashland’s Community Souper Bowl Party was so spirited, many in the crowd didn’t even realize there was a football game on the big screen.

February 5, 2012
Old union hall wall gives way
City workers in Catlettsburg were called to an emergency situation a few minutes before kickoff of the Super Bowl on Sunday when the front wall of an old union hall collapsed onto Main Street, according to Mayor Randal Peterman.

February 5, 2012
Mom, daughter share Scouting experience
After 13 years with the Girl Scouts, Chrissy Moore said she still likes to wear her vest, and she’s particularly proud of the patches and badges she’s collected.

February 5, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Sisters for an hour a week

Group hopes to expand

Site Map

Contact Us