This year the foundation awarded a top Bluffton High School tutor with a $400 gift. That student is Ceandra Thurmond, a BHS senior. Here's the S.O.S. story:

S.O.S. may be a worldwide common distress signal.

But, for Bluffton fourth and fifth graders and their high school tutors, it means Students for Other Students (SOS).

“This peer-tutoring program is an important part of our intervention services,” says Tim Closson, elementary principal.

This school year 20 high school students tutored 17 fourth and fifth grade students.

Now its 10th school year at Bluffton, the program began on Nov. 28 and continued to April 20, lasting 70 sessions.

Toledo businessman, Ford B. Cauffiel, through the Ford B. Cauffiel Foundation, funds the program.

“The strength of the program is that students complete assignments at school. Also, students receive vital one-on-one help,” says Closson. “We are very grateful for the generous contributions from the foundation.”

He continues: “We believe the success of the program is that our coordinators are our teachers. They know exactly what is expected and know the students on a personal basis. Bluffton teacher coordinators are Emily Ellerbrock and Tami Hardy.

“Another positive is that our high school guidance counselor and high school principal select student tutors.”

High school tutors are selected based on grades and character. Each student completes an application to formally apply to tutor. 

The program has added value as a mentoring experience for high school students as it may become part of their first resume.

This year the foundation awarded a top Bluffton High School tutor with a $400 gift. That student is Ceandra Thurmond, a BHS senior.

Closson said that Ceandra was chosen for the award because of her hard work, attendance and dedication in tutoring.

PHOTO: Bluffton teacher, Emily Ellerbrock, with Ceandra Thurmond.