Morristown Students SOAR with Community Partnership

Reverend Sidney Williams and his wife Teresa are not ones to sit on the sidelines when they see a need.

The pastor of the Bethel AME Church in Morristown saw a way to assist Morristown students in preparing for the NJASK test and bring families together as well. From this effort, Student Outreach and Academic Reinforcement (SOAR) was born, and on Monday night the Williams were recognized by the Morris School District for their efforts.

“This program is a highly successful partnership between the district and the Reverend and Mrs. Williams,” said Morris School District Superintendent Dr. Thomas Ficarra.

Through a partnership with College of St. Elizabeth, forged by Rev. Williams and his wife, Teresa, executive director of the Spring Street Community Development Corp., fifth grade MSD students are tutored by students from College of St. Elizabeth. According to Ficarra, the program also invites students' families to be part of the learning process.

“They try to facilitate parent involvement by requiring parents to share dinner with the students at the St. Elizabeth Education Center once a week,” Ficarra said.

Attending dinners with students and tutors reinforces the message that families need to be involved in students' academic life.

“The program was very successful last year and we are looking forward to continuing the partnership,” Ficarra said.

Williams accepted the honor and was quick to single out the volunteers and other members who support the work by asking them to stand for their own round of applause.

“We are extremely grateful to Reverend and Mrs. Williams and the volunteers of SOARS, as well as all those community members who step forward and volunteer their time to work with students who may benefit from personal, one-on-one tutoring and mentoring,” Ficarra said.