The Willow Glen Resident

Homework centers give kids a clean, well-lighted place to study

City funding soars for after-school studying and tutoring centers

By Christine M. Lias

Natalie Zapien likes to do her homework. Whereas other fifth-graders might watch television or play after school, Natalie completes worksheets or reads her assignments with gusto each day at the homework center at Willow Glen Elementary School.

"It's cool," the 10-year-old said about the center. "You get to finish your homework. You don't have to go home. It was sort of hard to do homework at home before with people bugging you. It's easier now."

Natalie is one of many students who take advantage of the 120 homework centers located in schools throughout the city of San Jose. Begun in 1993 with about 25 centers and a budget of $250,000, the program has since grown to encompass $1,150,000 in city funds for the current fiscal year, said Lynette Peters, city homework center analyst.

Ten council districts and 17 South Bay school districts forward the money to the appropriate locations. Local homework centers are located at River Glen Elementary and Willow Glen Middle School.

Homework centers provide a quiet place to study and help with homework for those who may not have support at home. Tutors include parents, community volunteers, business people and high school and college students.

"Education gives us a clear look into children's lives," said Willow Glen Elementary Principal Lois Allen. "We know that there are latchkey kids that go home to an empty house. Homework centers meet their goal, if just by providing another hour for children in a safe, quiet place."

Daily attendance at the centers, which welcome members of the community as well as elementary through high school students, ranges from 25 to more than 300, Peters said.

The center's programs have resulted in higher grades, increased self-esteem and a better command of English among some participants--and even drug and gang prevention in some cases, Peters said.

According to a study completed by Andrews University in Michigan, 22 million adolescents are left unsupervised from the hours of 3 to 6 p.m. Many students have little or no motivation to do homework and may turn to violence instead. And most juvenile crimes occur during this three-hour period. Homework center staffers hope to fight these statistics.

The center at Willow Glen Elementary is located in the school library beginning at 2:45 p.m. Roll is taken for the 23 enrolled children. Books and paperwork are taken out of backpacks, and the children get settled in chairs. Then the place gets serious.

Students raise their hands if they have a question about an assignment they're working on. One of three trained adults comes over to help.

"I really like to work with the children," said Maria Zapien, center supervisor and mother of Natalie. "Some students really don't get help from home. The homework center gives extra help and support."

If students have no homework to do, they can complete one of the spare worksheets located in the "Ditto Box" or read a book.

Students can also use the center's scissors or other supplies--in exchange for loaning the center one of their shoes. This creates a surreal atmosphere of single-shoed children intent on completing their homework.

"Homework is a lot easier to do now," Natalie said. When asked if her grades have gone up in any of her classes as a result, she smiles. "They've gone up a little bit."

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