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Sunday, March 25, 2001

After-school tutors make a difference

By Stephanie L. Jordan
Caller-Times

David Adame/Caller-Times

Flour Bluff Junior High School student Ashley Humitz, 12, works on a coffee cup during the activity period of Flour Bluff’s after-school program. A $3 million grant for eight local schools funds the program.

Denver Behrens' favorite subject is science because he likes dissecting worms and frogs.
   But the 13-year-old said math bums him out.
   "There's so much homework," said the Flour Bluff seventh-grader. "And it takes a long time to do it."
   Earlier this year, he simply stopped doing the work and started to fail not just math, but other subjects as well. Twice his parents grounded him, hoping to see improvement in his grades.
   Dan Behrens said he and his son spent two to three hours working on Denver's homework at night. He saw his son's frustration grow.
   Finally, Denver asked if he could take part in an after-school program at Flour Bluff Junior High called E=MC2, "Excellence = Meeting Children's Challenges."

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   Father and son say the mentoring program, established this year, has made a significant difference in Denver's performance.
   'People there to help you'
   "I can get my homework done faster there and there are people there to help you," Denver said. "At first, I didn't want to spend that much time at school, but my friends told me how much it helped them so I decided to give it a try."
   The program is open to all students at the school and about 160 participate. Dropout researchers say such programs as E=MC2 are exactly what school districts need to help students who get lost in big classrooms, large student populations and winding hallways.
   The program is funded through a 21st Century Community in Schools Grant, which provides $300,000 for three years, said Melissa Salazar, one of the program's facilitators.
   Eight area junior high and middle schools share in the three-year, $3 million grant, which Corpus Christi Independent School District is administering. Other schools with E=MC2 programs include West Oso Junior High; Seale Junior High and Ortiz Intermediate in Robstown; and Baker, Browne, Hamlin and South Park middle schools in CCISD.
   Filling a void
   Research shows that students involved in extracurricular activities are less likely to drop out, and for those who aren't involved in such activities, E=MC2 fills that void, said Betty Trigo, 21st Century Community Learning Center consultant for CCISD.
   "I think one of the reasons kids drop out is that they're not hooked into school," Trigo said. "The biggest percentage of dropouts is in ninth grade. So, if we can hook them in middle school, maybe when they get to ninth grade, they'll have the support in place, the connection that will keep them in school."
   The grant program also is designed to open schools' doors to the community. In addition to the after-school program for the students, Trigo said the participating schools offer parenting classes, GED and language classes for adults.
   At Flour Bluff Junior High, a computer lab is being established that the community will be able to use.
   Establishing a connection
   But the biggest impact right now is on the students, many of whom are establishing a connection to school they did not have previously. Salazar said the students groaned when they saw the program slogan - "Where the cool go after school'' - that she had plastered on T-shirts for them.
   "The kids think it's dorky," she said, "but they all wear their shirts to school whenever they get the chance."
   The Flour Bluff program runs from 4 to 6 p.m. during the school year and will continue in the summer. Seventh- and eighth-grade students can get free tutoring in math, social studies, science and reading and may also participate in newspaper production, math enrichment and a book club. There's also a homework help session. After the first hour, students are given a snack before a second round of activities begin. Watching the students interact during the second round of activities is where program staff said they have seen children grow.
   'Now he laughs'
   "There is one, he was very to himself, and now he laughs with the others," said Terri Thompson, who works for the city's Park and Recreation Department and helps Flour Bluff plan activities. "Now he's more part of the group. The other day he just started to sing. He used to be one of those kids you never heard."
   Those who mentor and assist the students with their schoolwork said the work is fulfilling.
   "I think kids are the same as they have always been," said Shirley Thornton, a 21-year veteran teacher in the district. "With programs like this, you can get to the point where you can make a bond with the kid. Not be their friends, but get to know them and have them get to know you."
   During the regular school day, the students in the program have their own cliques, but during the program those lines are invisible, Thornton said.
   'Teachers here who help'
   Ebonny Robinson joined the program because she enjoys school and wanted to learn to produce a newspaper.
   "Stuff like this makes me like school even more," the 13-year-old said. "It gives us another chance to be successful. Some people need help and there are teachers here who help them. Then they do better and feel better about themselves."
   This school year has been a frustrating one for Denver, his father said. The harder his son tried to do well, the higher his level of frustration became. His usually good-natured, well-behaved son started to make regular trips to the principal's office.
   But the E=MC2 program has turned things around for Denver.
   "The biggest change I've seen in him is that his stress level went down," Behrens said. "He really wanted to do well, and once he joined the program his sense of belonging increased and he started taking ownership of the program. Now, he wants to wear that T-shirt to school all the time."

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