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Teachers give time, money to aid students
Published November 16, 2009
LAKE JACKSON — Jarrett Baugh might have had the best intentions when he went home from school every day, but he never quite seemed to get everything done, the Rasco Middle School sixth-grader said.
Meanwhile, his teachers were at school grading papers, lesson-planning and getting ready for the next day.
Now, thanks to the efforts of fifth-grade math teacher Tracy Grotte, teachers and students are coming together in an after-school program that gives extra help to students who need it.
“We want to build relationships and let students know we really care,” Grotte said.
Grotte and several other teachers came together this year to host the Launching Pad, an afterschool program for students looking for some extra help with their homework, Grotte said.
Grotte has dreamed of this possibility for some years, but finally was able to start the program in September. The program is offered to students every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from the end of school to 4:30 p.m.
The students are fed snacks, some of which are donated by the community, but many are paid for from the teachers’ pockets, Grotte said. On average, 35 to 40 students attend the program in the library, she said.
Students can bring their homework and get help from teachers, or just sit and read, Grotte said. The teachers who volunteer to spend an hour in the library with students —most of whom are not in their own classes — are giving of themselves and their time simply to better the students’ performance, she said.
“It’s been wonderful,” Rasco Principal Robin Pelton said. “Teachers are excited to see the students who want to stay.”
As Jarrett sat with fifth-graders Christopher Buchanan and Ty Griggs around a table in the library Thursday looking at their math homework, they expressed gratitude the help was available.
“I come just about every day,” Jarrett said.
All three were quick to point out they weren’t there because they have been getting bad grades, but to make sure they keep their grades up.
“They actually try to help you,” sixth-grader Luis Vallarta said as he put down his book, his math homework already finished.
Students often benefit from learning something in a different way from a different teacher, said Cathy Crabtree, a social studies teacher. It also is helpful for them to do their homework immediately after school while they still are in school mode, she said.
The Launch Pad is not intended to be used as a punishment. Instead, parents are encouraged to let their child stay for the extra hour of help, Crabtree said.
About 15 teachers sign up for the days they can volunteer at the Launch Pad, she said.
During the time spent with students, teachers could be writing lesson plans or grading papers, Crabtree said. But none of the teachers see it as a real sacrifice because the extra help for students makes their job during the school day easier, she said.
“It’s to let them know we’re here and we’ve got their back,” Grotte said.
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