Homework club for Ukrainian students looking for volunteers

By Emily Stewart

A homework club is looking for volunteers to assist Ukrainian students with their learning.

V.J. Knutson, a former teacher, set up a homework club for Ukrainian students between the grades of senior kindergarten to Grade 11. Knutson was helping teenagers with English, French and Civics, but then she got several requests from elementary schools to help Ukrainian students with parents who do not speak English and therefore could not help with their homework.

The homework club meets every Tuesday from 4-5 p.m., with volunteers arriving at 3:30 p.m. at the St. Marys Public Library. The club is looking for more volunteers so there can be one volunteer for each student. Current volunteers include retired teachers and other members of the community.

"It's just about being able to sit with the child and help them with whatever skills it is that they need to work with,” Knutson said.

Many students have mandatory 20 minutes of reading time. Helping the students with their daily reading requirements takes up most of the club’s meetings.

“The parents have said the kids can read to them, but they don't know or can't really correct them or help them with understanding what they're reading,” Knutson said.

She added many of the students participating in the club are bright and ready to learn.

"It's good for the kids because they get to work with somebody who can give them feedback and they're all very eager,” Knutson said.

The homework club also offers a chance for parents to meet each other and socialize.

“They all meet up and bring their kids and I don't know if they go for coffee or what they do, but it gives them a chance to come together,” Knutson said. “It also gives them a chance to come together with some Canadians, like the volunteers that are there."

Anyone interested in helping out can send an email to english.knutson@gmail.com.