Home Work Help Program

The ABGS PTSA Home Work Help program was launched during last night's PTSA meeting. We had 4 high school volunteers available in the room across from the bandbox to assist children of PTSA parents with homework. (We thank Mr. Williams, his secretary Peggy, and Deb in Facilities for giving us permission and arranging for us to use this convenient room). A few youngsters went home with their homework completed. One grateful mom said her 4th grade son has Ms. Battle (my son had Ms. Battle in 5th grade so I know she gives lots of HW) and she was very pleased that her son wouldn't be up til 9 or 10 doing homework last night-- thanks to the new PTSA Home Work help program!

The young men who volunteered last night were:
Ernest Petion (10th grader)
Terrance Uzamere (10th grader)
Scott McMillan (11th grader)
Khalif Chaplin (11th grader; my son)

At least for a moment, these young men were role models and they showed that it's "cool" to be smart and to assist in the community. And, they seemed to be enjoying themselves, as did the 4th graders they were assisting. This was purely volunteer work (no compensation given; we want to teach our children about the importance of volunteering, and of giving something back to the community from whence they evolved). The only thing they got for their service was a chicken and rice meal. All volunteers will be recognized at year's end.

Now that the program is launched, we want to strengthen it by spreading the word that on ABGS PTSA Monday's children can receive Homework assistance -- we hope to mention this in call-outs, website postings, and to have parents helps us spread the word. Also, we need more high school volunteers. We started with kids of parents we knew but two of our volunteers won't be able to come soon due to athletic commitments; they will return in the spring. We would love to have a few more high school students on board. If you know students who are interested (this volunteer work will look great on future college applications), please email me and then please have them come to the Bandbox on the night of a ABGS PTSA Meeting and/or a SEPTA Meeting. Meetings are usually the 3rd and 4th Mondays of the Month at 6pm. Our next Homework Assistance session will be during Monday's SEPTA meeting which will be 10/26 at 6pm. At SEPTA meetings quite a few parents tend to also bring younger children so the more High School helpers on board SEPTA nights, the better. For those children who don't have Homework with them, we offer enrichment activities to keep the children busy while their parents are enjoying the SEPTA meeting.
Please help us keep this initiative going.