Students at Jefferson Middle School are “Tying It All Together”

Students at Jefferson Middle School are “Tying It All Together,” thanks to the generous and unwavering support of mentors and sponsors of the District’s Real Men Read program.

Today, 8th grade students preparing to transition to high school got a hand from Real Men Read mentors, and learned how to tie a necktie to wear to their moving up ceremony at the end of this month at the “Tying It All Together” event. Over 200 ties were donated by members of Peace Lutheran Church and Fresh Visions Community Church, employees of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, and other members of the community. Each mentor met with 4 or 5 students, helped them select a tie that is theirs to keep, and taught them how to tie it. Students and mentors then enjoyed refreshments donated by Krispy Kreme, and had the opportunity to talk about school, careers, and ways to succeed in life.

Real Men Read is a program offered throughout District 186, including at Jefferson Middle School, since 2008. Men from the community visit a classroom each month, volunteering their time to read with and mentor students. The men serve as positive male role models and emphasize the importance of reading and the value of education.

Real Men Read is a program offered throughout District 186, including at Jefferson Middle School, since 2008. Men from the community visit a classroom each month, volunteering their time to read with and mentor students. The men serve as positive male role models and emphasize the importance of reading and the value of education.

The program is funded by the Springfield Public Schools Foundation in partnership with HSHS St. John’s Hospital, and at Jefferson Middle School receives a great deal of support from community partner BUNN. Volunteers are from BUNN, Wells Fargo, IDOT, TRS, ILSOS, and Springfield Electric. Books are selected by a committee and chosen based on relevance to the curriculum and student interest.

One of the chosen titles for this year was “We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success” by The Three Doctors Drs. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt with author Sharon Draper. The book follows the three young men growing up on the rough streets of Newark, New Jersey. Rameck, George, and Sampson could easily have ended up on the wrong path, but when a presentation at their school made them aware of the opportunities available to them in the medical and dental professions, they made a pact among themselves that they would become doctors. It took a lot of determination—and a lot of support from one another—but despite all the hardships along the way, the three succeeded.

The inspiration for the “Tying It All Together” event came from one passage in which one of the aspiring doctors, George, needs to wear a necktie for a class, but he has never had anyone to teach him how to tie one. Another young man steps up and teaches him how to do it.

Teachers decided to create this opportunity for the young men of Jefferson Middle School to learn this valuable skill, deepen the bond and connection between the students and readers and to let students know how much others care and are invested in helping them succeed.