Team Leader: Melanie Lipton (mfl47@cornell.edu)
Site Supervisor: Lyn Donahue
Location: 402 N Aurora St (about 2 blocks from the Seneca St. TCAT bus stop)
This site is an after school program located two blocks from the center of Ithaca Commons, easily accessible by the #10 or #30 TCAT bus. The program runs Monday-Friday from 2pm to 6pm. Tutors are needed most Monday-Thursday, since those are the days with the most homework. This year, the program will run with about 30 children, ranging in age from kindergarten to 5th grade. The children arrive off various school buses between 2:15 and 2:45. They then go upstairs to the classroom and gym areas, where they receive snack. When the kids are done with snack, those who have homework move into the classroom area and receive help when needed. Areas requiring help range from having children read to you, to math problems to geography and writing, so all expertise are needed!
Homework can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours depending on how many children have it that day and how many need help. The estimate this year is that about 16 of the 30 children will have homework on a daily basis, so lots of help is needed! After homework, the children engage in a variety of fun activities, from art projects to gym games to going out on the playground when the weather allows. If you choose to stay after homework is done, the kids are always happy to have someone to play with! The children start getting picked up around 4pm, and this continues until 6pm, when the last few children leave.
Overall, this is a really fun and relaxed place to spend your REACH time! The kids love having homework help and the parents are so appreciative. The staff is also thrilled to have college students and the more the merrier!
