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Finding an afterschool program with good homework help

By Kate Kelly

Expert reviewed by Sheldon H. Horowitz, EdD

At a glance

Afterschool programs can help kids get into good homework habits.

It’s important that the staff let you know how your child is doing with homework.

Many programs allow kids who struggle in school to use accommodations for homework.

When looking for an afterschool program for kids who struggle in school, it’s important to look at how the program handles homework. Homework is one of the keys to thriving at school. Getting it done takes organization and time management skills. And those areas are exactly where many struggling students need help.

How can you tell if a program offers enough support to make your child’s homework time productive? Here’s what to look for.

A dedicated space for homework

The area set aside for doing homework needs to be quiet and well lit. It should contain a few distinct areas:

A table (or several, ideally) for small groups of kids to work together, which may also be where students get help if they need it

A separate work area where kids can work on their own

A research area with computers so kids can look up information or type assignments

A comfortable place to read

A structured homework routine

A good program dedicates a specified amount of time for kids to complete their homework. That may mean about 30 minutes a day for grade-schoolers. And it could mean as much as two hours a day for high school students. 

If kids finish their homework early, good programs will allow them to move on to a new activity. It could be something more challenging or playing a game that uses math skills.

Some programs may give kids a snack after school. Some allow them to play outside for a while before requiring them to start homework. If the timing makes a difference for your child, make sure you ask how homework fits into the schedule.

Assistance to help your child with homework

Good programs have staff to monitor homework and provide help when needed. This person may be a certified teacher. (This is likely if the program is school based.) Some programs may hire college students.

A process to communicate with parents

Kids who struggle in school do better when their parents and afterschool staff keep in touch. Ask if the staff alerts parents when your child:

Takes a long time with an assignment

Needs a lot of help to complete an assignment

Goofs off or simply doesn’t get the homework done

It’s good to find out if they send home notes or if parents are expected to check in with staff at pickup.

A willingness to work with systems you or the school have created

Kids with learning and thinking differences can benefit from systems that help them track their work. For example, you and your child’s teacher may have created a  homework contract . It might outline expectations that your child will meet. It will also include consequences if your child doesn’t follow through, and a reward for following through. The afterschool program staff needs to be willing to enforce the contract, if possible.

Or you might have a homework log that your child uses for keeping track of assignments. If it requires a signature, the staff should be willing to sign it.

Assistance for accommodations

It’s important that an afterschool program can provide accommodations your child needs. For example, kids who struggle with writing might need to dictate their ideas rather than writing them. In such cases, the programs need to provide access to voice-to-text software or to staff who can write down students’ words. 

Completing homework on a regular basis can improve your child’s self-confidence at school. A good afterschool homework program can help. And don’t forget there are other topics to consider when looking at afterschool programs.

Key takeaways

Find out if the staff will communicate regularly with you about your child.

Ask about whether they offer separate areas for homework and play.

Remember that a strong afterschool program will help make your child feel more confident at school.

Shepparton homework club helps students connect after years of remote learning

By Howe Courtney

ABC Shepparton

Topic: Public Schools

Zachary Laffy coordinates the homework club, which runs once a week at Greater Shepparton Secondary College. ( ABC Shepparton: Courtney Howe )

A homework club started at Greater Shepparton Secondary College after students endured more than two years of disruption has become a haven for those wanting to learn.

Key points:

• The homework club helps students catch up on their work
• The club has doubled the number of students that attend since it began
• Coordinator Zachary Laffy says it has become a safe space for students

The club runs once a week and is a chance for students of all year levels to catch up on their homework or receive one-on-one tutoring from teachers.

Zachary Laffy is a teacher at the school and coordinator of the homework club, which began earlier this year.

He said remote learning had been tough for some students and the club was there to help them catch up.

"They weren't able to collaborate or talk with their peers. Here everyone works together," he said.

"Students love coming to the homework club here, we have food, and they love seeing their teachers dedicate their time."

Mr Laffy said the club had started with 10-15 students coming but now had more than 30 students every week.

"A lot of the students come here with a friend, that's how we started to grow," he said.

He has observed a change in the students that have now become regulars at the club.

"You can tell they feel really supported and they are a lot less frustrated," he said.

"Even some of the students who weren't sure at the start, you can see not just a change in their learning habits but a change in their behaviour as well."

Shaima Khaksar says the club has helped her catch up on her school work. ( ABC Shepparton: Courtney Howe )

A safe space for students

Shaima Khaksar is in Year 8 and has been coming to the homework club for just over a month.

She said it had really helped her.

"I had lots of homework to do and there wasn't enough time to do it in class, so I decided to come in here and do it," she said

"I've found it really good; it helped me a lot to finish my homework and if I have difficulty finishing it, the teachers can help me with it."

Students are assisted with their work by teachers who attend the club as well as volunteers and multicultural aides at the school.

Education support worker Ana Maria Filipovic said the homework club had become a refuge for students wanting to learn.

"When the students can connect with other students and staff, if they're feeling safe and supported and included in the activities they spread the word, and then we just start to see some more new faces and we love it," she said.

Ms Filipovic enjoys the opportunity to build rapport with students she normally would not have a chance to work with.

"A lot of these students come from different year levels, so you might have someone that needs support with Year 7 maths, through to someone's that doing Year 12 biology," she said.

"It's days like this that make you realise just how worthy what we do is."

About Homework Club

Homework Club Volunteers Video

Homework Club at school

Getting involved in Homework Club

About Homework Club?

Homework Clubs are an easy way to increase community engagement in promoting the social, emotional and academic growth of children, opening doors to a brighter future for our kiwi kids.

It's a simple idea. We partner firms, businesses or organisations with local low decile primary schools.  The school makes available classroom or library space for students to gather after school, and a group of volunteers spend an hour a week helping those kids with whatever the school community believes will best support the learning experience of the students.

For some schools it's all about homework, for others it could be a focus on reading, or verbal skills or development focused boardgames.   

But what it means is students get to spend some time with different adults who want to support their learning journey, while also encouraging them to think broadly about education and job possibilities. 

For volunteers, they get to learn too from the students. They're exposed to new ideas and gain insights into the students’ communities, cultures and potential. 

We want more

New Zealand children opening doors to brighter futures

Homework Club Supporters

Thanks to the generous support from our sponsors, we have been able to establish Homework Clubs and help hundreds of children throughout New Zealand. This support also allows us to focus on identifying more schools and partnering them with firms, businesses and organisations in their own community to set up additional Homework Clubs. 

For information on how you can support us click here >

• Youth Development
• College & Career Readiness
• Homework Club
• Reading Heroes
• Summer Lights
• Social-Emotional Learning
• Math Heroes
• Christian Mentoring
• Boys & Girls Night
• Saturday Programs

COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS

Preparing teens to succeed in high school & beyond.

College and Career Readiness helps students gain skills and knowledge to navigate their postsecondary endeavors through one-to-one tutoring, college planning, and job training.

The College and Career Readiness Program offers wrap-around support for teens living in Potomac Gardens, Hopkins, and Benning Terrace public housing communities as they prepare for life after high school. 

We meet with middle and high school students weekly, providing one-to-one tutoring, financial aid and college planning, and guidance through DC’s high school lottery process, and the college application process.

Students at Little Lights face systemic barriers to college access and finding a job. Our goal is to provide an ongoing support system to help remove many of the obstacles that keep low income students stuck in a cycle of poverty. 

HOMEWORK CLUB

Helping build skills & understanding.

Homework Club pairs volunteer tutors with students to help build skills and understanding while completing homework assignments. Homework Club takes place Monday through Thursday, from 3:30pm to 6:00pm.

With a student-to-tutor ratio of 3:1, we ensure our students daily receive the attention and guidance they need to succeed.

Through our partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank, each of our students receives a full, balanced meal each night at Homework Club—a key part of sustained academic success.

READING HEROES

One-to-one tutoring.

Reading Heroes helps students develop grade-level literacy skills through one-to-one tutoring.

Each student is paired with a specific tutor for the duration of the semester, sometimes longer, in order to build stability, continuity, and a relationship that aids a student’s academic growth.  Every Tuesday, from 6:00 to 7:00pm, students and tutors work together to complete lesson plans crafted specifically for each student based off of internal assessment results. 

Reading Heroes is a great way to make a direct and meaningful connection to support one of our students.

SUMMER LIGHTS

Enjoy summer to its fullest.

At Summer Lights, our kids have the opportunity to enjoy summer to the fullest. They explore their interests, cement their math and reading skills, and play in a safe environment. Through our partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank, it’s also ensured that they receive a healthy meal. Some of the activities that we offer include:

Cooking, Arts & Crafts, Photography, Reading, Bible Study, Dance, Exercise, Swimming.

Summer Lights has become an exciting staple in many of our communities with kids lining up at the door waiting for it to open, knowing that there will be a smiling face waiting for them.

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING

Managing emotions & achieving positive goals.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) helps students identify, name, and manage their emotions so that they can interact with the world around them in a healthy way.   

SEL helps change the trajectory for children who have experienced trauma and might be manifesting their distress by shutting down, acting out, feeling fatigued, or hopeless. Instead, SEL helps reconnect youth to their communities of care and helps them thrive relationally, emotionally, academically, and socially. 

Throughout our programming, we host SEL sessions covering topics like personal boundaries, dealing with sadness, how to cool down when upset, and more. Students can also meet one-to-one with staff trained in SEL at our Homework Club program.

MATH HEROES

Focused help that can make all the difference.

Math Heroes helps students develop grade-level mathematical skills through one-to-one tutoring. Each student is paired with a specific tutor for the duration of the semester, often longer. Every Thursday, from 6:00 to 7:00pm, they work together to complete lesson plans specifically crafted for each student based on their internal assessment results.

Along with the lessons, the relationships students build with their tutors are a significant help to their academic and emotional well-being. Tutors and students often build meaningful relationships with each other, giving tutors the ability to help instill confidence and growth in students.

CHRISTIAN MENTORING

Become a mentor.

Youth and communities are transformed by personal relationships. When caring adults commit to mentoring a student, the student has more opportunities to grow and thrive.

Our mentoring program is a relationally based one-to-one mentoring program for youth in underserved public housing communities in Washington, DC. The primary goal of the mentoring program is to empower youth to thrive spiritually, relationally, and emotionally. As a mentor, your goal is twofold: to be a stable, loving, and supportive adult figure to your mentee, and to show them what it means to love and follow Christ.

Students at Little Lights live in either Potomac Gardens, Hopkins, or Benning Terrace public housing complexes, under-resourced neighborhoods where 90% of youth live in single-parent, female-headed households that live on an average of $17,000 a year. Without intervention, an estimated 2% of these kids will go on to attend college. These kids want – and need – mentors, and yet are unlikely to have one.

Becoming a mentor is a tremendous opportunity but also one to consider carefully. During the application and interview process, we will work with you to determine if you are ready to step into the role of mentor. In order to apply you must agree to a background check and meet all of the following requirements:

• be at least 21 years old
• be a follower of Christ
• Commit to at least one year as a mentor
• commit to spending 6 hours/month with your mentee
• agree to attend mentoring meetings
• agree to submit monthly reports about the time spent with your mentee while matched

BOYS NIGHT & GIRLS NIGHT

Having fun & serving others.

Boys and Girls Night offers middle school students the chance to meet weekly throughout the school year with caring adults to build a community that encourages character and spiritual growth, has fun, and serves others.

SATURDAY PROGRAMS

A fun and safe place to spend the weekends.

Saturday Drop In Program offers students a safe, structured, and fun place to spend their weekends. Twice​ ​a month​ from 10am-1pm​, a volunteer group of 6-12 provide personal attention to students, as well as organizing a craft project, and supplying packed lunches for all of the students.

Since Saturday Program involves less structured activity, it is an ideal time for staff and volunteers to forge more personal relationships and spend extended quality time with students.​

Make an impact today.

We’re always excited to hear from our community. Let us know if you have any questions about our programs, volunteer process, or anything else.

CFC#89156 / United Way#8543

760 7th Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003

202-548-4021 [email protected]

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© 2024 Little Lights.

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HOMEWORK CLUB

Student life.

In response to the need of many of our students to have some structured time for homework between school and an after-school activity (e.g., music lessons, sports, etc.), we offer an after-school study hall (Homework Club).

Peabody faculty members supervise Monday through Thursday from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. each week that school is in session (unless parents are notified otherwise), beginning the second week of school. Teachers provide a quiet, supervised environment in which children can work and are also available to provide assistance with homework to any child who needs it. A small fee is charged when students attend and parents are billed monthly.

Students who attend Homework Club work on school assignments. At the conclusion of Homework Club, students are picked up or escorted to the After School Program. Students who complete their assignments in Homework Club prior to 4:15 p.m. proceed to the After School Program (if registered) and remain in its supervision until a parent or authorized adult arrives. Students who wish to attend the After School Program after Homework Club must be enrolled in the After School Program.

Catherine Gilbert

Teaching Assistant

Catherine Gilbert is a 2019 graduate from George Mason University (Magna Cum Laude) with a BFA in Theatre with a Concentration in Acting and Directing. She grew up in Charlottesville and graduated from The Covenant School (2015). Catherine has performed in over 50 theatrical productions in the tri-state area and has been working as a teaching artist since 2016. Her main areas of focus are acting for stage and screen, Shakespeare studies and performance, and makeup artistry and design. She adores reading to children, inspiring them to explore the magic of story-telling, and encouraging young minds along their own literary explorations. Ms. Cat is a huge mental health advocate and encourages kindness and empathy in each classroom. She is thrilled to be a part of the Peabody community and looks forward to a wonderful school year.

Afolake Wilson

Teaching Fellowship Coordinator

Mrs. Wilson graduated from the University of Virginia in 2006 with a degree in History and Studies in Women and Gender. Following her educational pursuits, she gained valuable experience teaching students of all ages, from preschool to high school. In 2010, she returned to UVA to earn her Masters of Teaching, obtaining endorsements in elementary, special, and gifted education. 

She joined the Peabody faculty in 2013 as a second grade teacher, where she distinguished herself as an expert in classroom management, creating a productive and welcoming learning environment for her students. Her dedication to fostering empathy and community among students is a cornerstone of her teaching philosophy. 

Mrs. Wilson is passionate about her role as the Peabody Teaching Fellowship Coordinator, where she shares her commitment to education with the next generation of teachers. She works closely with the graduate students to help them earn their teaching credentials and develop the skills necessary to create a positive and inclusive classroom experience.

John Duncan

John Duncan is a graduate of the University of Virginia and holds expertise in corporate development, national security, and   personnel and facility security.  Across a 25-year career in defense and intelligence that encompassed public and private sector roles, Mr. Duncan has overseen a broad range of US defense efforts, from large-scale IT initiatives to intelligence and counter-terrorism support operations. He has directed   programs with worldwide applications, designed   and managed   corporate deployment strategies, and personally directed   staff operations in a variety of foreign theaters. In June 2019 he successfully exited Intrepid Solutions and Services, Inc.; a company that he co-founded in 2009 and served in a variety of senior leadership roles, including Chief Executive/President. During his tenure, the company received industry-wide recognition and awards including multiple-year rankings as one of the fastest-growing companies in America and designation as Small Business Federal Contractor of the Year in 2012. In 2020,   John formed   Heahmor, a Charlottesville-based real estate investment and development platform focused on community collaboration-driven projects with synergistic stakeholder outcomes.   He   is a proud parent of two Peabody graduates and one current Peabody student.

Amanda Beresford

Peabody Teaching Fellow

Amanda Beresford holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from Brown University and a M.Div. in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Harvard University. She spent time working in healthcare chaplaincy and in ministry focused on children, youth, and families. She came to Peabody as a parent and is delighted to remain in the Peabody family this year as a Teaching Fellow. Outside of school, Ms. Beresford enjoys family time, singing, reading, and yoga. 

Constanza Wichmann

Coni Wichmann (Profe Coni) holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Middle School education from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. For over eight years, she worked as a homeroom and English teacher in a wide variety of grades (3rd to 7th grade), in both bilingual and non-bilingual schools. She moved from Chile in 2023 with her husband and 5-year-old son. Currently, she is working on a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, with an endorsement in Gifted Education. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, and she is a big soccer fan. 

Lauren Elliott

Kindergarten Lauren Elliott holds a B.S. in Elementary Education with a minor in French from the University of Virginia. Before beginning teaching first grade at Peabody in 2022, she student-taught and interned in schools in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. She is passionate about responsive social-emotional teaching and learning and cultivating positive, interesting, and challenging learning experiences. In her free time, Ms. Elliott enjoys playing guitar and piano, playing volleyball, and spending quality time with friends supporting UVA Athletics!

Katie Hayes

Music (Grades PreK – 3; 6-8)

Katie Hayes will graduate from James Madison University in December with a Bachelor’s in Music Education and a Minor in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication (WRTC). She has worked with students from PreK to 12th grade as an assistant teacher, tutor, and student teacher. Katie has experience working with students of various support needs and cultural backgrounds. In addition to her music teaching experience, Katie also has experience teaching French and an interest in Special Education. In her free time, Katie enjoys visiting cat cafes with her friends, improving her Japanese for her next family trip to Tokyo, and hiking in the Shenandoah Valley. 

Samir Malik

Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Grade Math

Samir Malik earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with Finance Applications from Southern Methodist University.  He previously taught elementary and high school level math for three years in Midland, TX and high school level math for one year in Santa Fe, NM.  Samir also spent 11 years working in the luxury hospitality industry at several hotel properties across the United States and the Caribbean Islands.  In his free time, Samir enjoys hiking, swimming, trying new local restaurants, tutoring students in math, and skiing at various ski resorts across the U.S.

PreKindergarten Teaching Assistant & PreK After School Teacher

Ms. Li earned a Master of Teaching degree in Elementary Education from the University of Virginia and holds a K – 6 teaching license in Virginia. She completed her student teaching at Stone- Robinson and Jackson Via Elementary Schools, and worked as an assistant teacher at the University of Virginia’s Child Development Center. Ms. Li also has a Master of Science in Material Science and Engineering from Beijing University of Chemical Technology. With her bilingual and science background, Ms. Li is passionate about creating a curiosity-driven supportive learning environment. 

Soma Hannon

Technology (Grades 5-8)

Somasundari Hannon has a B.A. in Computer Science and English from Mount Holyoke College and a Masters in Game Design and Development from Bradley University.  They have experience working as a programmer and recently made the shift to education. Soma just moved to Virginia this fall with their cat, and in their spare time enjoy writing, drawing, and playing video games.

Audrey Blecha

Seventh and Eighth Grade English

Blecha  earned a B.A. in English Literature and a Secondary Teaching Certification from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She has taught High School and Middle School English in Colorado, Niigata Japan, California, and Virginia.  Audrey  took time off from teaching to start and run a specialty cut flower business. Selling flowers at Charlottesville City Market for several years provided the opportunity to make lasting connections and become a part of the Charlottesville community. In her free time she enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time outdoors on her small farm.

Gary Fox has practiced law for more than 45 years, first in the private sector, and then as a trial attorney within the Office of General Counsel at a federal agency.  He received an A.B., with a concentration in political science from Brown University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.  A number of years later, Gary returned to school on a part-time basis, ultimately earning a Master of Theological Studies from Boston University.  During that time, he served for two years as a teaching fellow for Nobel Peace Prize recipient Elie Wiesel, assisting in the development and presentation of four academic courses.  Mr. Fox’s daughter has taught at Peabody for several years. 

Will Mayo holds a B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech and an M.B.A. from University of Colorado-Boulder. Will is the Chief Revenue Officer of WillowTree, where he leads sales and revenue functions for the company. Prior to this role, Will was a Director of Business Development at Twitter, where he led partnerships for Twitter’s data services business. Will spent 9 years in management consulting where he provided commercial, government and non-profit clients with strategic planning and financial advisory services and spent the first couple of years out of college working for Lockheed Martin as a Satellite engineer. Will and his wife, Carol Lynn, have two Peabody students. He spends his free time running, fly fishing, and traveling with his family.

Eric Bundonis

Eric Bundonis received a B.A. in history from Middlebury College and an M.B.A. in finance and management, with honors, from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a managing director at UVIMCO, with responsibility for Absolute Return and Credit investments. He serves as a member of UVIMCO’s investment committee and is involved in all aspects of the investment process and portfolio risk management. Prior to joining UVIMCO, Mr. Bundonis served as Head of Research at Artivest in La Jolla, California, where he was a member of its investment committee and oversaw the identification, sourcing, due diligence and ongoing monitoring of alternative fund managers across multiple investment strategies totaling approximately $4 billion.  Before joining Artivest in 2009, Mr. Bundonis served as an associate at OneCapital Management Partners in New York and began his career at Auda Hedge, LLC in New York. He previously served as the Treasurer of the Bird Rock Foundation. Eric and his wife Jaylene are proud parents of four Peabody students.

Marie Bourgeois

Marie Bourgeois holds an A.A. in Interior Architecture and Design from the Intercontinental University of London and a B.A. in the Arts from Tulane University. Originally from Charlottesville, Marie has worked in design in New Orleans, Charlottesville, London, Gibraltar, and Sotogrande, Spain. Following graduate school, she worked on multiple projects in the London offices of Joanna Woods and Tim Gosling, including Gosling’s redesign of the Goring Hotel.  From London, she relocated to Gibraltar to work with Patricia Darch Interiors, with offices in Gibraltar and the south of Spain.  Her work has been featured in LPA, La Revista, and Casa y Jardin.  She returned to Charlottesville in 2014 and is the principal and owner of Marie Bourgeois Design.  Marie has been in involved in several local charities, including the Women’s Initiative and the Music Resource Center, which she helped design for its initial opening in 2004.  Marie and her husband Pat have five children at Peabody and one Peabody alumna.

Nettie Lovet

Business and Operations Manager Nettie Lovet received a B.S. in Business and Accounting from the University of Phoenix. She has worked for small businesses as well as larger corporations for nearly 20 years, and has both accounting and operational experience. Ms. Lovet moved to the mountains of Virginia with her daughters in 2018. In her spare time, Nettie enjoys gardening, country living, dancing, and visiting the lake with her family.

Music (PreK – grade 3, grades 6-8)

Ms. Stees earned a B.A. in Music Education from James Madison University and an M.Ed. in Special Education from Indiana University. Mary is certified in both vocal and general music K-12. Mary has most recently been the music teacher at Rogers Elementary School in Bloomington, Indiana in addition to teaching two after-school programs (Musical Beginnings and IU Children’s Choir) with the Indiana University Jacobs Academy.  Her previous employment experience includes working for the IU Auditorium as the educational outreach specialist and at Brown County Junior High School as the performing arts director. She has also led the Rogers Elementary School Equity Committee.

Jessica Harrison

Fifth Grade Humanities

Jessica earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Louisiana State University, an M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Illinois where her graduate work focused on the ancient Maya, and a Master’s in Teaching from LSU, where her graduate work focused on teaching history through primary sources (her action research project was titled, “Exploring Indigenous History through Historical Inquiry: Filling the Gaps with Primary Source Documents.”) She is joining Peabody after four years of teaching 6th-12th graders in public schools in Louisiana and Illinois, including 6th Grade Social Studies, and AP Human Geography and European History. In her free time, Jessica enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her two dogs.

Heather Miller

Fifth Grade Math Ms. Miller received a B.A. in history from Dartmouth College and an M.A. in Curriculum and Teaching from Columbia University Teachers College.  She has taught several different age groups but has a particular passion for teaching math to students in the upper elementary grades.  Ms. Miller has taught at private schools in Connecticut, Ontario, Manhattan, Charlotte, and Barcelona.  She has served as both a homeroom teacher and as a learning support specialist.  When not teaching, she spends time with her children, who are young adults, and she enjoys hiking, reading, yoga and relaxing with her two cats.

Kathryn Reese

Mary katherine prehn.

Director of Educational Technology & Technology Teacher, grades 5-8 Amy Brudin has been teaching and learning with technology since she graduated from UVA in 1994. She spent 10 years in the Washington, D.C. area, teaching at the National Cathedral School and consulting privately with families looking to set up networks and computers at home. She and her husband and fellow UVA graduate George moved to Batesville in 2003 and are proud parents of Lune, Peabody class of ’21.

Emmie Wright

Middle School Spanish Emmie Wright holds a B.A. in Spanish with a minor in Anthropology from Washington and Lee University. She earned her M.A. in Spanish from the Middlebury Language School, finishing her last summer in Guadalajara, Mexico. She has spent a number of years teaching both middle and upper school Spanish in Charleston, SC, New York City, and Charlottesville. She took time off from teaching to stay home with her two children, both of whom attend Peabody. In her free time, she loves to travel with her family (especially to Menorca, a small island off the coast of Spain), garden, read, and run.

Mykel Paige

Teaching Assistant/After School Teacher

Mykel Paige earned a B.S. in Communications from Kaplan University in 2009 and A.S. degrees in Teacher Assisting, Gourmet Cooking & Catering, and Nutrition, Diet & Health Science. Mykel’s professional experience includes becoming Trauma-Informed Certified and working as a Residential Counselor in a group home for abused teens, as well as being trained in behavior management and crisis intervention. Mykel is currently working toward a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Kasha Viets-Wood

PreK After School Teacher Kasha Viets-Wood graduated from Guilford College in 1989 with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education and Art.  She has worked with children in a variety of capacities for more than 35 years in public and private schools, daycares, preschools, and after care programs.  Outside the classroom, Ms. Viets-Wood enjoys spending time with her her husband and three dogs, in addition to swimming, watching a good mystery series, socializing at the dog park, growing flowers, going for walks in the woods, and spending time with family and friends.  She is thrilled to return to Peabody’s After School program.

Eric Anderson

Community Connections Coordinator Eric Anderson earned his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University and a Master’s degree at Columbia University in cognitive biopsychology with certification in conservation biology. He has worked in urban education and environmental non-profits, and both taught in and led independent schools in New Jersey and Charlottesville. A Peabody parent, Mr. Anderson will work to build bridges both within the school and to the broader community in his role as Peabody’s new Community Connections Coordinator. A middling birdwatcher, soccer and ultimate frisbee player, and outdoor enthusiast, he is currently trying to learn guitar to help drown out his oft-unwelcome singing.

Hope Sikora

Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Grade Math Hope Sikora received a B.A. in Mathematics and a MAT in Secondary Education from the University of Virginia. Ms. Sikora loves math because it encourages problem solving and helps us understand the world. In her free time, Ms. Sikora enjoys cooking, exercising, and cheering on the Hoos!

Jillian Wilde

Third Grade Jillian Wilde earned her B. A. from the University of Connecticut in Political Science and her M.A.T. from Goucher College in Elementary Education and Special Education. Mrs. Wilde holds teaching licenses in both Elementary Education and Special Education. She taught preschool for four years, followed by four years of teaching third grade in the Montgomery County, Maryland Public School system, before coming to Peabody. In her free time, she enjoys reading and traveling, as well as antiquing and thrifting. She also loves a variety of outdoor activities and is a certified scuba diver.

Nicole Dreyfus

Third Grade Nicole Dreyfus graduated from Bard College with a B.A. in Literature and Creative Writing, and earned her Master’s of Science in Education from Bank Street College of Education in New York City. She holds a teaching license for grades PreK-6 in the state of Virginia, and is also a certified and licensed teacher of Meditation, Hatha, Kundalini and Raja Yoga. Ms. Dreyfus loves learning new things, chess, crossword puzzles, reading about everything, yoga, jogging, skiing, camping, snorkeling, creative writing, history, poetry, chemistry, art history, painting, travel, zoology, psychology, anthropology, volunteering, philosophy, theology, Halloween, mycology and pugs.

Sarah FitzHenry

Online Learning Coordinator Sarah FitzHenry holds a Masters in Library Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a B.A. in English and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, both from Bowling Green State University. Ms. FitzHenry brings experience from both public and independent schools, having taught a diverse range of subjects from elementary literacy to computer science. Additionally, she is an experienced educator coach and presenter, and is passionate about helping teachers and families shape the next generation of leaders and citizens. Ms. FitzHenry lives in Charlottesville with her family, and is pretty much always reading a book or asking someone a question.

Tara Montgomery

School Nurse Tara Montgomery holds a BSN from the University of Virginia.  Her experience includes nursing in the inpatient setting (Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital), outpatient clinic (UVA Cancer Center), and most recently, Telehealth nursing. Ms. Montgomery’s goal as Peabody’s school nurse is to provide a safe environment for students to learn and play as well as to promote health and wellness in exciting and proactive ways.

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• Ela Township, IL

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Youth Programs

Homework club, 24-25 homework club registration now available.

Transportation for Spencer Loomis/Seth Paine, May Whitney, and Isaac Fox!

Spencer Loomis/ Seth Paine: NO REMAINING SPOTS (Waitlist)

May Whitney: NO REMAINING SPOTS (Waitlist)

Isaac Fox- 2 spots available.

Homework Club provides safe and supervised after school services and recreational activities to children in kindergarten through fifth grade who live in Ela Township. Our program meets after school every week day school is in session from dismissal until 5:30 p.m. at the Ela Township Community Center.

We provide the time, the place and the assistance to allow your child to work on their homework correctly with the help of our staff and volunteers.  Our team works in partnership with the community, schools, and families to provide a fun and safe environment for your children to thrive.

Ela Township Community Center 380 Surryse Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Monday through Friday after school until 5:30 p.m.

*Days when District 95 is in session

$150 per month per child including transportation from Isaac Fox or Spencer Loomis/Seth Paine & May Whitney schools.  $130 per month per child without transportation.  Registration is throughout the school year and processed on a first-come first-serve basis. Registration may be dropped off with payment at the Ela Township Community Center.

Transportation:

Transportation will be provided for Isaac Fox, Spencer Loomis/Seth Paine and May Whitney participants. All other schools will have to find their own form of transportation to attend at this time.

Registration Packets

2024-2025 homework club transportation registration youth registration packets homework club registration.

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Making School Fun at Home

This article was previously published on 7/30/2019.

12 Ways to Make School Fun at Home for Students of All Ages

Back to school will look different this year as families and schools continue to navigate the uncertainty of COVID-19. Getting kids to enjoy (or even accept) doing their homework can be a struggle at any age, especially in the fall when students adjust to smaller classes, alternate schedules and a continuation of virtual learning that began in the spring.

For some families, new ways of learning are further complicated by parents’ work schedules and a lack of technology access. According to the Afterschool Alliance, 1 in 5 kids are unsupervised after the school day ends. And millions of families don’t have internet access at home.

During challenging times and busy parenting schedules, there are still ways to make learning at home fun, safe and constructive for students. Over the years, our trained youth mentors and program facilitators have developed lots of strategies and ideas to make homework more fun. Get tips on how to make virtual learning and homework fun in high school, middle school and elementary school so you can help your kid succeed at every age.

Ideas to Make Homework Fun for Elementary, Middle and High Schoolers

Many kids find homework assignments boring or simply get restless when asked to sit down and study – but that doesn’t mean they all need the same kind of motivation. Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to homework help by using these age-appropriate tips.

Elementary School Homework Tips

Little kids frequently have trouble focusing on virtual learning and homework, especially when there are so many distractions and fun things to play with at home. The solution? Make learning more like playtime.   

• Create fun focus spaces. Kids often work on homework in their rooms or wherever there’s a little spare table space – but kids’ rooms and common areas are usually filled with distractions. Before this school year starts, create a special “homework zone” in part of the home that’s more peaceful. (A “homework fort” is always a hit with young kids, as long as it’s well lit.) Stock this area with lots of colorful school supplies so there’s no reason to leave until their homework is all done.
• Beat the clock. Young kids love racing to the finish. Make homework more like a race by setting up timed challenges. For example, count how many words they can spell correctly or math problems they can solve in the span of 5 minutes. The next day, challenge your kid to beat their own record. (A little competition can work great with siblings, too.)
• Try learning apps. Support the subjects your kid studies in school with apps that make learning about it more fun. This tip is especially helpful for subjects that you or your kid struggle with. Some of our favorite educational apps include DragonBox for math, Spelling Stage for spelling, and DuoLingo , which offers learning-based games in Spanish, French and many other languages.
• Team up with tunes. Just like the Alphabet Song teaches kids their ABCs, there are plenty of songs out there to help specific subjects stick. Search YouTube to find songs covering a range of subjects, including the planets in our solar system, the days of the week and months of the year, U.S. states and capitals, how to add or subtract, and pretty much any other educational topic you can imagine. If you can’t find a song on a given subject, try making one up together.

Middle School Homework Tips

In middle school, students gain more independence to work alone or with peers. Encourage their developing maturity with a little structure and loads of support.

• Use power hours. Power hours challenge kids to focus for a certain amount of time. Once the timer goes off, they can take a quick break before diving in again. Offering little rewards after productive power hour sessions is a great incentive at this age, too.
• Plan study dates. If your kid struggles in a certain subject or has trouble focusing in a quiet, empty room, let them invite a friend or two over to study. Just remember to follow current safety and social distancing guidelines. If another kid is too much of a distraction, set the tone by working alongside your child. While they do homework, you can pay bills, make dinner, reply to emails, or even work on a crossword puzzle or another brain game. Doing “adult homework” creates a sense of companionship without being too overbearing – and it can help kids learn that work is a part of life, not just a part of school.
• Make a routine. Lack of routine can be stressful for kids. Setting a regular schedule for homework, or the school day for kids learning at home, can help reduce resistance and improve consistency. Beyond planning time for homework, come up with other little rituals that can help your kid focus, from putting on their current favorite album in the background to using prizes and other incentives to reward good work, like a small treat for every complete assignment.
• Stay positive. Your attitude has a huge impact on how your kid sees the world, especially in the formative middle school years. Keep tabs on your own attitude toward your kid’s homework. If you see helping your kid with homework as a chore, your kid will probably feel that way about it, too. Instead, try to see homework help as a fun, productive time when you both can learn and hang out together.

High School Homework Tips

When students reach high school, having parents hanging around to nag them about homework doesn’t always help. Instead of implementing these homework strategies for high schoolers yourself, show this list to your teenager and help them come up with a plan they can stick to. Then, take a step back. Check in with your teen every week or so to see if their plan needs tweaking.

• Get organized . High school is the perfect time to start preparing for the life you want to lead after you leave home. To achieve your goals, you have to make plans and stick to them. It’s the same with homework. When you get your assignments for the week, month or semester, take some time before jumping in to sort through the deadlines and requirements. Then, come up with a schedule and a realistic plan of attack. Use a day planner, calendar app, or time management app like Asana to make to-do lists for yourself – trust us, it feels great to cross stuff off your list.
• Reward yourself . It’s easier to work hard when you know there’s a reward at the end of it. Set a study timer, and if you’ve focused on homework until the timer goes off, reward yourself with a favorite snack, a funny video, an epic solo dance party or a little social media time.
• Upgrade your workspace. Spruce up the place you do virtual learning and homework to fuel your productivity, imagination and problem-solving skills. Keep tools and supplies on hand to help you work through challenging assignments, like colorful pens, highlighters, sticky notes, and cool notepads or notebooks. Decorate with art and other objects that inspire you, and use calendars, whiteboards, chalkboards, corkboards, or even just paper and tape to help visualize and keep track of everything you have to do.
• Turn up the beats. Spotify has tons of playlists dedicated to productivity, from ambient noise to instrumental hip-hop. Find a few go-to playlists that help keep you focused and put one on whenever you have to zone in. Explore movie soundtracks and other kinds of instrumental music to avoid distracting lyrics.

Homework Help from BGCA

Every day, thousands of kids and parents rely on Boys & Girls Clubs of America for homework help and out-of-school support, especially in the crucial hours after school lets out and during the summer months. Explore our website to learn more about our programs , find your nearest club or support BGCA today.

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Pomona Public Library Foundation

Welcome to homework club's virtual tutoring program, create an account to access drop-in tutoring sessions, welcome to pomona public library foundation’s homework club’s free drop-in virtual tutoring. the library foundation’s homework club vets tutors and ensures that they are qualified to help your student with their classwork., log in as a returning student or tutor.

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T-Mobile Enhances Project 10Million Program and Announces New Partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs to Boost Digital Access for Even More Students

In this article:.

The Un-carrier is doubling the data for eligible P10M participants and launching a new partnership with the nation’s leading after-school organization to get free internet into the hands of more students and bridge the digital divide

BELLEVUE, Wash., September 25, 2024 --( BUSINESS WIRE )--Since 2020, T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS)’s $10.7 billion Project 10Million (P10M) initiative has delivered reliable and affordable internet service to more than 6 million young learners across the U.S., but even with that progress the need for connectivity has only continued to rise. Technology use in education has seen a massive 226% surge over the past five years that spans classroom and homework. School-related tasks from digital assignments to research, video streaming, video lessons, and web calls require more data. And a vast majority of students are working from homes with multiple users. All of this on top of an up to 17 million school age children across the U.S. who still may not have reliable internet access at all, according to the FCC . To meet this continued demand, the Un-carrier announced that it is enriching its P10M program, increasing the data allowance for many students to better meet user needs and partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and artist and activist Common to help even more youth get the access they need to be successful.

Starting Sept. 26, qualifying kindergarten through 12 th grade student families who sign up for P10M with T-Mobile will now receive 200GB per year for five years, twice the previous 100GB allotment. Current Project 10Million families with T-Mobile will also enjoy increased data for the remainder of their five years. Student families will also be able to purchase a new highly discounted 10GB data pass for just $10 if they hit their data limit. And, starting in October 2024, school districts with the greatest needs served by P10M will have the opportunity to receive more data for their students — also up to 200GB.

To continue helping bridge the digital divide and reach more students, the Un-carrier is also partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to hold enrollment campaigns and sign-up events nationwide. Two events were recently held alongside Oscar, Emmy and Grammy award-winning artist and activist Common, a champion of digital equity, education and T-Mobile’s Project 10Million; one was held on Sept. 6 in Dallas, and the other one in the Bronx, New York, on Sept. 24.

"We launched our groundbreaking Project 10Million program back in 2020 with a simple goal - to provide free or highly subsidized home Internet to up to 10Million students at home, so they won't fall behind in school," said Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile. "And today, after providing more than 6 million students with the critical Internet access they need to succeed, we're making the program even better than ever, with a set of program enhancements, to help our largest and most important community program to make an even bigger impact."

"Our Club professionals are dedicated to ensuring all youth have the resources and support they need to achieve academic success. We believe strongly in the power of collaboration and community, which is why we’re joining forces with T-Mobile to make sure families with school-aged children have access to the essential connectivity that enables all youth to unlock their full potential," said Jim Clark, President and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Additional Project 10Million back-to-school activations have been held or are to come in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Tacoma, Washington; Kansas City, Missouri; and Oklahoma City.

T-Mobile announced Project 10Million in 2019 and launched the program in 2020 with the goal of offering 10 million at-risk students a free hotspot, free data plans, and access to at-cost laptops and tablets and has continued to improve the initiative to include a portfolio of options for schools and families. To date the company has provided $6.9 billion in products and services and connected over 6 million students through P10M to help close the digital divide. To learn more and sign up go to www.t-mobile.com/project10million .

Data enhancements available for households eligible for the National School Lunch Program that sign up for Project 10Million directly with T-Mobile. Schools working with T-Mobile to provide access to Project 10Million for qualifying student populations may also be able to participate in these program enhancements. During congestion, Project 10Million customers may notice speeds lower than other customers due to data prioritization. Video typically streams in SD quality. Verify National School Lunch Program eligibility at signup.

About T-Mobile

T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Over 5,400 Clubs serve more than 3 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and X.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240924626530/en/

T-Mobile US Media Relations [email protected] or Investor Relations [email protected]

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