The homework help program has two sessions per day, Monday through Thursday, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (7th grade – 12th grade) and 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (2nd grade – 6th grade). The tutoring program has two sessions per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m..
For more information on these volunteer positions, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at srvvolunteer@positivelace.org or at 206-436-1893.
Beacon Hill International School needs volunteers to tutor kids who need additional academic help. Tutors must commit to one hour a week while school is in session. Each tutor is paired with a 3rd-5th grade student, and will work with that student for the entire year. Sessions at BHIS will be on Tuesdays, from 3:15-4:15 p.m.
Orientation sessions start this week, and tutoring will begin in October.
Neighbor Sara told us:
“My husband Dan and I have tutored with Invest in Youth at various elementary schools since 2004, and then joined the program at Beacon Hill International School four years ago when we moved to the Hill. We’ve had a fantastic time, each working with a student for one hour, once per week each school year and have really enjoyed getting to know some of the students and parents in our neighborhood. Over the years, a number of neighbors have volunteered with the program as well and I’d love to get additional community members involved with the program, providing great help and additional great role models for these kids right in their own backyards.”
Are you a retired teacher? Are you currently pursuing a degree in education and would like to increase your teaching experience in a culturally diverse setting? Are you a previous camp counselor or someone who has worked with elementary-school students and knows how to effectively work with them? An hour a week could do wonders for our local students and their academic success.
Neighborhood House has an immediate need for reliable, patient volunteer after-school tutors at Aki Kurose Middle School (3928 South Graham Street). You’ll be working with middle-school students helping them finish their homework as well as improve their academic skills. Orientation and training will be provided.
We’re looking for people who are available from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. once a week for at least three months.
If you (or anyone you know) are interested in becoming an after-school tutor, please e-mail RominaR@nhwa.org for more information on how to get started as an after-school tutor.
The Hanford Stairs Weed Busters need you! Susan Fairo is seeking teams of two people (volunteering together or matched up individuals) who can put in 2-3 hours four times a year to help keep weeds from taking over the new native plants at the public staircase near 25th and Cheasty. Rookie Weed Buster team volunteers will receive instruction on what to remove and what to ignore, and use of tools, watering, plant disposal, etc. If you’re interested or have questions, contact Susan at susan.fairo@gmail.com or call 206-349-7285.
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Noticed an increase in airplane noise? Patty Fong is organizing neighbors in Beacon Hill and the Central District to address the issue with the FAA. See this comment on a previous Beacon Bits for more details, including contact information.
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Teens can earn service learning credit at the library. In addition to free SAT prep and online tutoring, the Seattle Public Library is also running a teen advisory board this school year. If you know teens wishing to earn service learning credit by writing book reviews, helping at teen programs, or writing for the SPL blog, contact Jennifer Bisson at Jennifer.Bisson@spl.org or call 206-615-1410.
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Catholic Community Services is looking for tutors. Their Youth Tutoring Program is an after-school educational enrichment program for at-risk students in first through twelfth grade. Volunteers offer academic support and also serve as positive role models to students, helping strengthen their sense of self-esteem and self-respect. Tutors help students with reading, homework (all subjects), math and language arts skills. Resources are available for those subjects you might not remember quite so well, and no specific background is necessary aside from a high school diploma. Tutoring Centers located nearby in NewHolly and Rainier Vista are open Monday-Thursday from 4:20-7:40pm, and tutoring would be for 1-3 hours per week on the same night every week. You can apply online at http://www.ccsww.org/ytp.
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Flash Volunteer offers many more volunteer opportunities. A non-profit startup run by Brad Wilke, a former Development Director at Denise Louie, aims to link people and neighborhood-focused volunteer opportunities. Check it out at www.flashvolunteer.org.
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A South Beacon Hill neighborhood watch is coming together. Mike Cheney, working with SPD Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon’s encouragement, is trying to bring together South Beacon Hill neighbors to form a neighborhood watch group. Perhaps you read the recent Wall Street Journal article “Civilian Patrols Grow As Recession Puts Citizens on Guard” and it piqued your interest, or maybe you’d just like to make your block a safer place to live. If you’re interested, email Mike at redboneshadow@yahoo.com.