For Immediate Release Contact

May 9, 2014 Jaimie Smith

Childrens Librarian
Hamilton Branch
5910 Harford Road Baltimore, 21214
(410) 396-6088

Homework Help: A Partnership Between Baltimore City Youth and
Enoch Pratt Free Library
Hamilton Branch
Baltimore, MD- Inspired by the students who attend Hamilton Elementary/Middle School, The
Hamilton Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library is partnering with Baltimore City Public
Schools (BCPS) to offer free tutoring and homework help to Baltimore youth. Student tutors will
be paired with another child who is in need of extra help to complete their homework. Students
must commit to one school year of service. The program runs from October 6, 2014 through
April 20, 2015.
The program will run Mondays-Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 and all participation is completely
voluntary, but a one-year commitment is mandatory.
If you or a child you know is in need of homework help, sign-up at the Hamilton library today!
Social Media: Facebook and Twitter, two weeks in advance.

Press Release

Program Title: Homework Help
Purposed By: Jaimie Smith
Program Dates: Monday-Thursday, October 6, 2014 through April 20, 2015 from 3:30-4:30.
Need for Program: Each afternoon, approximately 30-50 students from the Hamilton Elementary/Middle
School walk to the Hamilton branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Of those students, approximately
five have learning difficulties that make completing nightly homework a challenging task. These students
ask for help completing their homework, some on a daily basis.
Program Goals:
1. To provide Baltimore primary grade youth an opportunity to receive homework help.
2. To provide Baltimore secondary grade youth an opportunity to perform required service learning
hours.
3. To foster an academic opportunity for students in secondary grades who would like to be future
teachers.
4. To bridge the gap that students often feel in the library between youth and teen services.
5. To promote healthy community growth and neighborly interactions between the older and
younger students in the community.
Program Description: Students will be paired one-to-one in an academic relationship that benefits both
students. Younger students will receive the tutoring services they need while older students will mentor
the younger students while receiving their mandatory service learning hours. The program requires that
both students will need written permission from their parent/guardian to participate. Each student only
needs to participate one day per week but participation is contingent on a one-year commitment. Students
will be paired by library staff based on their availability.
Community Partners: Baltimore City Public Schools
Program Steps:
1. Reach out to BCPS to let them know that the Hamilton Branch will now offer the tutoring
service, and anyone interested in becoming a tutor can earn service learning hours.
2. Reach out to the teens in the Hamilton Branch to generate a list of students who would be
interested in participating in homework help. Explain the benefits of earning service learning
hours.
3. After tutors have signed up, explain how the program will pair them one-to-one with a younger
student. Explain the rules and expectations of the program (one year commitment, respectful
behavior in the library and toward the other students, who to contact if you need help, etc.)
4. Create a sign-up of primary students in need of tutoring.
5. Pair the students in groups of two, one tutor and one student.
6. Conduct the program according to schedule.
Evaluation: As a certified public school teacher, I will be at the daily tutoring sessions to facilitate, assist,
and troubleshoot. Ill administer weekly evaluations to be completed by all students. I will also send out
my contact information to the teacher of each student enrolled in the program so that I can acknowledge
student progress.