We have officially started a waiting list! Last year, it wasn’t until January or so that we needed a waiting list (and we had far less volunteers last year then we do now; in other words, we have way more tutoring sessions available this year then last). I am pleasantly amazed at how quickly the spots have been filled. This means, however, that I am on the hunt for more volunteers! If you, or anyone you know, are interested in volunteering, please email me at kvellenga@listhelps.org. Thankfully, I will be adding two more volunteers to my group starting in the next couple weeks, so that will help to move through the waiting list a bit.
One really great thing about having a full schedule from the beginning of the year is that the students attending LIST are getting help and building a great foundation for the rest of the year. As these students continue to come to LIST, we can aid in their educational process and make sure they do not fall behind. Last year, we saw an increase in enrollment after the firs report cards went home (and I expect the same this year). Yet, those families that have enrolled their children with LIST already have given their students a leg up in their studies. Not to mention, securing their spot in our enrollment list.
One student I was working with this week, a fourth grader, is a whiz at math and reading. Her favorite subject is math and she told me she does not like reading at all. I asked her why, since she is so fluent in reading, and she said, in so many words, she finds what she is required to read at school boring. I chuckled, understanding the sentiment from classes I have taken, but I have made it my goal to find a topic and book she is interested in. My goal is to give her the joy of reading; she definitely has the skills, now it is just time to inspire the love!
Another exciting bit of news for us here at LIST is that we have added another board member to our board of directors! Ali Padilla has been very faithfully voluntee4ring with us since last school year. She lives in the neighborhood and has been very helpful in translating for me. She has really dedicated herself to LIST and we are so thankful for the wok she had been doing and look forward to having her on our board of directors!
