Eliminating home work Eliminating home work (April 21, 2004)

Kids get assistance they need at new Barron Park Elementary after-school club

by Rachel Metz

A new homework club at Barron Park Elementary School is receiving more than just rave reviews from parents. It's become popular among students, who are learning that getting their work done early pays off.

"When I get home I just do my chores and then I can go play basketball," fourth-grader Misael Morales said.

Since the club started in February, about 20 to 30 kids have been coming to each 45 minute session held Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The school provides snacks for kids to munch on while they work.

A visit to the club reveals a cross-section of students -- some struggling with math problems, others reading, some quietly chatting and eating Cheeze-Its.

Fiona Flynn, a fourth-grader, said she's not tired in the morning because she does homework in the afternoon instead of late at night.

Several students said the lack of distractions at the club makes it easier to complete assignments.

"I like it 'cause it's quieter here than at my house because my dad likes to play his music and I have to shut the door," fifth-grader Alison Hornback said.

"They love it. It's so nice for them to leave with their homework done," Barron Park teacher Lucinda Surber said.

She and five other teachers at the school work in shifts of three to help students. There are also several middle and high school student volunteers.

The genesis of the club came during a Barron Park parents meeting. Parents discussed the difficulties in helping their children with homework because of either a lack of time or understanding of the assignment, school Principal Cathy Howard said.

This fall the school held another meeting and "it turned out a lot of the parents at the upper grades ... thought this was a great idea," Howard said.

In the spring the school decided to take action, using PTA and federal Title 1 money -- doled out to schools based on the number of students on free or reduced-price lunches -- to seed the $2,000 needed to run the after-school club. Juana Briones and El Carmelo elementary schools have similar programs.

Parents are happy with it as well -- Howard said she's gotten positive feedback and some have said their children's participation in the club has eliminated homework battles at home.

Parent Linda Lingg, whose son attends the club, is clearly in agreement.

"It's great we can send them here and make them do (homework) with their friends and teachers are supervising," Lingg said. "No homework fight -- that's great," she said.

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