The Succeeding in School program is celebrating its 20th anniversary with presentations, refreshments, and a red carpet for current and former students. The public is invited to the event at Wheatley School, from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday.
“We want to reflect on a few things that have kept Succeeding in School alive and well, even though the community changed from 2004 to 2024,” said director Kathern Harris.
The program and community alike have indeed changed. Succeeding in School was founded by Harris and other volunteers to tutor young students in reading, “with zero dollars and four willing partners,” she noted. Thanks to the dedication and generosity of local organizations and volunteers, it grew to encompass more grades and subjects as time went on. It is headquartered in the historic Wheatley School.
“It came about because scores on the statewide MAP (assessment) test were lower in certain areas of town, and one area...every year it seemed like their scores were lower. So that’s why we were asked at that time about providing some kind of community support,” said Harris.
The more kids Succeeding in School helped, the more need the volunteers saw. After a couple of years of serving K-3, volunteers expanded Succeeding in School up to sixth grade in 2006, adding math to the curriculum and mentoring students as well.
“It’s been learning as we go along. We found out that not only did the kids need academic support, but many of them needed support in areas that we could offer a mentoring component with other issues that they were facing — like getting along at school, developing friendships, knowing how to build character, and what does it take to build your character to have positive self-esteem,” Harris explained.
The program eventually reached students from kindergarten to eighth grade but returned to K-6 to ease the burden on volunteers. Its summer branch, Super Kids Camp, was started in 2009 and continues to this day.
Harris credited hardworking individuals and generous organizations for the longevity of Succeeding in School and Super Kids Camp. The list is long: the Community Resource Council, Community Action Program, local churches, Poplar Bluff R-I School district, Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation, 4-H, area businesses and of course, volunteers. Harris was director of the TRIO program at Three Rivers College when Succeeding in School was founded, and some of the first volunteers were students. Volunteers now come from high school, college, and beyond, introducing diverse topics and experiences.
“We have so many people who come in there and volunteer to do classes, maybe on art, they do yoga with the kids, they come in they do water safety, they do wildlife, they do medical things for the kids where they teach them about hygiene and sanitation, all have those things, so it’s just a combination of things.
“I feel like that has kept Succeeding in School active for 20 years, and I would have to shake myself to realize that 20 years have passed,” Harris said. “And I believe those of us that have stayed active, we’re just as excited about what we have to offer in 2024 as we were in 2004, but with more awareness of need.”
Harris anticipates handing the program off to a younger generation of teachers and leaders someday.
“My dream is...the next generation will be as appreciative to the community as we’ve been, and they will take it and do a program that they feel is good for that time. What we did may no longer be what they need, and I don’t want to sound like I’m expecting them to do what we did because I’m not expecting that. I want them to do what they feel would best be a support for Poplar Bluff’s community and students,” she said.
The 20th anniversary celebration will begin with a red carpet greeting for current and former students. Staff will light a candle in memory of Succeeding in School mentors who have passed on, including Harris’ husband, and present the program’s history to attendees. It will also give them a chance to explain changes the program underwent over the years, like incorporating remote days during and after the pandemic, and highlight improvements made to the Wheatley School building.
Wheatley School is located at 921 Garfield St. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also home to the Wheatley Historic Preservation Association.