Homework Helpers
MIDDLESEX TWP — While many preteens are usually busy on their XBoxes and Nintendo Wiis playing games after school, two girls are busy planning educational activities to help younger neighborhood children with homework assignments.
Erin Neff and Jessica Patterson, both 12 and sixth graders at Mars Centennial School, formed a study group to help the children around Dwellington Circle.
They hold Homework Helper evenings once a week during the school year at Erin's home.
The programs are designed by the two girls, usually around a theme.
“Our motto is Make Learning Fun,” Erin said.
She started the program three years ago and Jessica has joined her for the past two years.
Mother Cindy Neff said her daughter always loved to play school even before actually going to school.
“She is very much a leader. She's a straight A student. The other kids kind of look up to her,” she said. “She has a passion for learning and a passion for teaching.”
When the school year ends, the group shifts over to the Pattersons' house for the summertime Star Club, which has fun and outdoor activities with educational aspects associated with them.
Last year around Earth Day, the children finished up their homework and then went around the neighborhood with their gloves on picking up trash.
They've also gone on bicycle riding trips, where they are reminded of bike safety by Erin and Jessica.
They also have done fun science experiments.
“The science theme was definitely my favorite,” Erin said. Jessica added she also likes science themes the best.
“They do lots and lots of planning. They really take this serious,” said Cindy Neff. “The group always comes over unless they are sick or have a ballgame. Even the older kids come and participate.”
The 12 students who attend range from 5 to 11 years old. Those Mars School District students include Paul Rude, Billy Patterson, Ryan Skurka, Emily Dudgeon, Cooper Dudgeon, Casey Neff, Maddie Boyd, Tyler Boyd and two students from the Winchester Thurston School, Bryce and Zoey Cooper.
Erin and Jessica said their April 20 Homework Helper day was designed around an Easter theme.
“We have an Easter egg hunt that they (the children) have to solve math equations,” Erin said.
The girls also planned to have an Easter story reading.Students in the basement of the Neffs' home had assigned seats with their name tags.They began doing their homework for the day and those who didn't have homework were given an assigned educational activity.After finishing their homework, the youths went onto the Easter themed activities.The parents take a limited role in the group other than providing snacks and normal parental supervision.“Our role is to encourage them, to get their supplies. Most of the time, they make due with what they have at home. And we don't do any of the planning,” said Cindy Neff.Erin and Jessica's planning duties range from sending letters to the parents, asking for emergency contacts, providing permission slips if the children go on a field trip and even set up websites that provide educational aides and links to sites that would help the students with future homework assignments.Several of the children said they believe the homework sessions help them, and they learn things beyond the classroom.“Erin and Jess help me understand my homework and I always have fun,” said Maddie Boyd, 8.“I like learning different things that I don't learn in school,” added 9-year-old Cooper Dudgeon.“I like learning new things and having fun doing it, agreed Emily Dudgeon, 7.Cindy Neff also said the she believes study group has helped the children.She said one of the attendees was having trouble with his math problems when the group first started. One day this year, the child came home with a math star for the day sticker on his coat.Teachers at Mars Centennial School have been supportive, sending home some leftover educational materials at the end of the school year that the group would use in its lessons, said Jessica's mother, Trudy Patterson.“Their bedrooms are literally like classrooms,” she said.The mothers appreciate the girls helping to make learning fun for their children.Debbie Dudgeon, Cooper and Emily's mother, said, “My kids get more homework done with Erin and Jess in an hour than they do at home with me for three hours.”Barb Rude agreed.“Erin and Jessica give me a night off from homework, which is sometimes a real struggle in my house. I think it's a wonderful thing they are doing.”
