FROM STAFF REPORTS

NORTH SHELBY—Oak Mountain Intermediate School is now one of six Shelby County schools to field a school-based Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

Throughout the school year, intermediate school students worked with Oak Mountain High School students for 30 minutes each week. Students built mentoring relationships through the Birmingham-area nonprofit.

Mentoring relationships can help children improve academically, increase their social skills and build self-esteem.

OMIS and OMHS felt the program would be a great way to foster a sense of community between the two schools. Both schools have plans to continue the program in the 2016-2017 school year.