Library to launch Homework Center for grades 6-12

The Canton Public Library is pleased to announce the opening of its new Homework Center beginning Monday, November 29, in the Community Room. Available to Canton residents in middle and high school, the program strives to both alleviate school-related stress and to promote a sense of community among Canton students. Teen and tween residents will have access to free tutoring and homework help and can also volunteer to tutor others.

The Homework Center will meet on a variety of days and times to accommodate as many schedules as possible. Please check the library’s Event Calendar for specific meeting times. Any adults or teenagers with tutoring experience or excellent academic records can apply to volunteer by visiting library.canton.ma.us and clicking on “Volunteer to Tutor.”

At the beginning of 2020, the library asked its teenaged patrons about their stress levels and the vast majority of respondents admitted that they felt very stressed that day and in general. They attributed their feelings to many factors — trouble with friends, pressure from parents, school, and fears related to politics, the environment, and illness. To help combat this stress, the library developed a grant-funded, two-year-long project focused on Mind, Body, and World Wellness.

During the Homework Center hours, volunteers will be available to provide homework help to middle and high school students. There will be no preregistration; students will be paired with a tutor on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be a waitlist started if all tutors are occupied. When a tutor and student are finished, the tutor will help the next student on the waitlist.

Students can seek help with math, science, ELA, social studies, reading, and writing. There will also be an “On Task Table” for students who want a distraction-free environment to focus on their work. This area will be staffed with two volunteers and will accommodate up to four students per volunteer.

Additionally, the library is excited to offer two-month subscriptions to the Calm app to Canton residents ages 11-18 with a library card. Calm can help young people learn to use meditation and mindfulness to reduce their stress and anxiety, and the available sleep stories can help users fall asleep and sleep better.

Teens and tweens can fill out a form with their name, library card number, and email, and they will receive instructions via email on accessing the app through the library. Once all available licenses are being used, there will be a waitlist. Patrons will receive an email with the access information when other loans end and it is their turn.

These programs are made possible by federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The library is excited to offer opportunities to improve local students’ academic performance, decrease their stress, learn valuable skills to take care of their mental health, and serve their community and world. It is the library’s sincerest hope that the Mind, Body, and World Wellness programs will improve the wellbeing of Canton’s teens and tweens.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Nov 19 2021. Filed under News, Schools, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.