“Tutoring program enhances education of local children” plus 3 more

Tutoring program enhances education of local children
Low-cost tutoring available for students through After School Enrichment program
Watchung receives grant for after-school tutoring
Caldwell High School honor students sought for tutoring program

Tutoring program enhances education of local children

Posted: 01 Sep 2010 06:01 AM PDT

Even in Happy Valley there are elementary children who need supplemental academic assistance if they are to progress through the grades. The Friendship Tutoring Program was created by the Outreach and Service Ministry Team of Faith United Church of Christ in State College for the purpose of providing tuition-free academic support together with one on one mentoring. Building on the foundation of the Park Forest Day Nursery, the first clients were the older siblings of the day nursery children. Others were added at the specific recommendation of instructional support and Title 1 teachers from the State College Area School District. The number has increased from about 15 the first year to as many as 50 and includes students from K through grade six.

The FTP meets every Sunday in the fall (September through December) and spring semesters (January through April) for 11⁄2 hours. The schedule includes a nutritious snack, homework, computer work, reading, math, writing, games and the opportunity to keep a log. Students are paired off with a Penn State student tutor, usually from the College of Education.

Books from the First Book Organization are read and reread by the children as they meet with their tutors and are treasured when the children select their own "favorite" to take home every four weeks of attendance.

The program supplies the necessary academic supplements to the regular schoolwork. Teachers have indicated that this supplementary support has made a difference in the classroom and in the academic progress of the children. Parents have indicated that the students like the tutoring sessions and enjoy school more.

The State College Area Education Association honored FTP with the Friends of Education Award. The children have demonstrated personal and social growth after one-on-one mentoring with a Penn State student. The tutoring portion of the afternoon is important but mentoring and friendship is also of utmost importance. Not only do the children become fond of the tutors, but the tutors find themselves becoming attached to the children.

As the program launches its 12th year, we continue to look for "partners" from the community who will financially support a student for a semester or a full year in the program.

For more information about becoming a partner, please contact Travis Corkery at tcorkery@graystonebankmortgage.com.

Laura P. Griffin is the director of the Friendship Tutoring Program. She can be reached at lpgriffin5876@gmail.com.

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Low-cost tutoring available for students through After School Enrichment program

Posted: 31 Aug 2010 10:45 PM PDT

GREENCASTLE -- Students in grades one through five can receive high-quality, low cost individual tutoring at the After-School Enrichment Program at Gobin Church.

Registration for After-School Enrichment starts on Sept. 7 from 3 to 5 p.m. and will continue Sept. 8 and 9.

Sponsored by the Reading Improvement Center, the program offers students in grades one through five help with reading and homework from trained DePauw tutors.

Students come twice a week for a program that includes an hour of individual tutoring and homework help as well as a snack and some crafts time.

Parents can also schedule twice weekly tutoring between the hours of 3 and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Director Cathy Merrell invites interested parents to drop by Gobin between 3 and 5 p.m. on Sept. 7 or 8.

Tutoring begins Sept. 13 and runs until December.

Gobin is located on the DePauw University campus. Greencastle students can get bus transportation from school.

After-School Enrichment has served hundreds of Putnam County students since its beginning in 1991.

It is a United Way of Putnam County partner, with additional support from individuals, organizations and the generosity of Gobin United Memorial Methodist Church.

There is a small monthly charge, with reduced fees available. Please contact Cathy Merrell at 653-9569 or merrellcathy@yahoo.com.

The Reading Improvement Center has been serving Putnam County students since 1987 with low-cost individual reading help.

A United Way agency, it serves 35-40 Putnam County students each year. This is the sixth year the Center has offered intensive reading instruction.

Watchung receives grant for after-school tutoring

Posted: 01 Sep 2010 06:21 AM PDT

Published: Wednesday, September 01, 2010, 9:09 AM Updated: Wednesday, September 01, 2010, 9:10 AM

WATCHUNG – Starting this fall Watchung schools will offer a 20-week after-school tutoring program for "at risk" students which is being funded by a grant from the Somerset County Freeholders.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Lou Malyska explained that the schools were awarded a competitive grant that will fund tutoring and homework help for students in grades three through eight who would not normally have access to tutoring services. The grant will also provide for a late bus that will take the students home at the end of the day.

The program, called "The Pursuit of Excellence," will provide extra help in language arts and math and will be held at Bayberry and Valley View schools.

Malyska referred to it as an after-school academic assistance program.

There are spaces available for up to 10 students at each grade level from grade three to grade eight. The first 10-week period will run from October to early December and the second period will run from February to April.

Caldwell High School honor students sought for tutoring program

Posted: 01 Sep 2010 06:14 AM PDT

CALDWELL TWP. – All local high school, honor roll students interested in sharing their knowledge and making a positive impact on younger students' lives are invited to participate in a weekly tutoring program in Caldwell starting this fall.

In its seventh year, SCEEP of West Essex (Suburban Cultural Educational Enrichment Program) is a non-sectarian joint venture between Congregation Agudath Israel (CAI) of Caldwell and Newark-based Protestant Community Centers Inc. (PCCI).

No prior tutoring experience is needed you don't have to be a member of CAI to join.

SCEEP of WE is located at Congregation Agudath Israel, 20 Academy Rd, Caldwell.

From Oct. 14 through May 5, on select Thursdays from 3:10-5:30 p.m., fifth graders from the E. Alma Flagg elementary school in Newark will be transported to this location. There they will have a snack, be tutored by two honor roll students from our local area high schools, and finish with a fun art project. Selected tutors for the fall semester must attend a mandatory training session on Thursday, Oct. 7 from 4-5:30 pm.

Selected tutors for either the winter or spring semesters must attend a mandatory training session on Thursday, Dec. 16 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Continual honor roll status must be maintained to participate in this program. Students can elect to tutor for the fall, winter or spring semester, or any combination of the three. Students may not tutor during a semester while participating in a varsity sport.

PCCI has been associated with SCEEP for more than 46 years, and has 20 locations throughout Northern New Jersey in churches, corporations, private schools, and universities. The children from Newark move from "at risk" to honor roll status over 75 percent of the time.

Interested new high school, honor roll tutors can obtain applications on Sept. 13 by emailing sceepwe@aol.com.

Enrollment closes for all on Sunday, Sept. 26. Enrollment is on a first come first serve basis only, and will close when full without prior notice. For questions or to donate, email sceepwe@aol.com.

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Tutoring

Wednesday, September 1, 2010