Friday, January 11, 2013
Homework is challenging on it's own, but for some students with parents who may not be familiar with the English language much less the American school system, it can be an even bigger challenge.
According to the district, Shakopee Public Schools has partnered with the Shakopee African Community Agency to provide an after school center specifically for the district's African students. The program is designed to help students with homework troubles.
The district says the program, called the Homework Helper, will help students from grades 1 to 9 who may need some extra academic help in their classes. Parents will also be taught how to help their kids outside the classroom.
The program will also address the transportation issues faced by a large number of people within Shakopee's Somali population.
The district says students at Eagle Creek, Jackson, Red Oak and Sun Path elementary schools and Shakopee West Junior High are taken by bus to the Shakopee Community Agency's offices, which are closer to Shakopee's largest Somali population, after school.
Kids will be picked up at those offices at 5:45 p.m., according to the district.
An article in Southwest Newspapers says that the school is funding the program through it's Title I (low income) dollars.
Students interested in the program must have permission from a parent and a teacher in order to participate. Once registered, students are expected to show up regularly.
More information on the program and how to register can be found byclicking here.