At Laingsburg United Methodist Church, we believe that engagment with the community is one of the ways in which we can be the church God wants us to be. One of the ways we are engaging the community is through our growing relationship and partnership with the Laingsburg Community Schools, their teachers, administrators, and even students and families.
Starting in 2018, we are offering a new tutoring program for elementary-aged students who might need some extra help, encouragement, or are just looking for a safe and inviting place to learn a little more. TUESDAY TUTORING is FREE and will be held on Tuesdays throughout the school year.
|
Tuesday Tutoring
is being revised and
is not available at this time.
|
Where will this program take place, and why there?
The tutoring for elementary students will take place at Laingsburg United Methodist Church at 210 Crum Street in Laingsburg. While this is our church building, which makes obvious sense, we also chose this location rather than a space in the school so as not to add hardship to the school’s teaching, administrative, or custodial staff. Additionally, the proximity of the church building to the Laingsburg Elementary School will make it possible for students to safely gather at the church without having to walk too far. Finally, our Safe Sanctuary policy will provide for an additional safe space for students to gather.
|
What is Safe Sanctuary?
Safe Sanctuary is a protection policy that we have in place in our church that is designed to ensure protection for all children, youth, vulnerable adults, and volunteers working with such populations. This means that every volunteer who will be working with students and helping with the tutoring program will undergo an application process, an ICHAT background check (provided by the Michigan State Police), as well as a complete training as to how to properly supervise and work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults so as to ensure exceptional safety. We take this seriously and believe it to be vital to any program or ministry we conduct in the community. Unless you have an interest in volunteering, there is no need for you to undergo the certification.
|
What will the tutoring program provide for the student(s)?
While, for the most part, the volunteers at the Tuesday Tutoring program are not trained educators, what we will be able to offer is an encouraging environment in which students will be able to practice reading with a helper, as well as work through other subjects. We know that the best way to learn a subject is to teach it, and so we’re hoping to create a mutual learning environment in which the student is empowered to teach what they know – learning and reinforcing their knowledge as they do.
|
Does a parent need to drop off/pick up a child at Laingsburg UMC?
It is not necessary for a parent to drop off or pick their child(ren) up at Laingsburg UMC. Our Safe Sanctuary protection policy allows for children to sign themselves in and out of a program so long as a permission slip is signed by a parent or legal guardian. This permission slip is included along with this letter.
|
How can I refer and/or sign a student up for tutoring?
Also included with this letter is a simple referral form that can be used by parents, teachers, or even school administrators. It should be stressed that the Tuesday Tutoring program is not only for students who may be struggling in a particular area. It is available for ALL students. If a teacher or school administrator feels as though a particular student would benefit from the Tuesday Tutoring program, they are encouraged to fill out a referral form in consultation with the student’s parent or legal guardian. Of course, a student’s involvement is ultimately up to the student’s parent/guardian.
|
What is the cost of the Tuesday Tutoring program?
There is absolutely no cost to the student, the parent/guardian, or the Laingsburg Elementary School for the Tuesday Tutoring program. At Laingsburg UMC, we believe that part of our responsibility is to engage with the community in which we serve in order to contribute to the greater common good. This is simply one way we are choosing to do so.
|
Below is the referal form that can be filled out by a parent/guardian or by a teacher in consultation with the parent/guardian and student. There is no need to sign up for TUESDAY TUTORING in advance. Students just need to bring both the referal form and the permission slip (both are posted below in PDF form) with them the first time they come.
|
|