By Anjuli Niyogi, Editor-in-Chief
During this transition to online learning, the Mills staff is committed to providing academic support so that students can complete their classes successfully. Mills’ homework center coordinator, Israel Hakim, has ensured that students are still able to access virtual academic resources through Mills’ Virtual Homework Center. This after-school tutoring/homework center takes place Monday-Thursday 3-5 pm.
The program provides weekly planning, homework assistance, and one-on-one support for all students at Mills. Coordinator Hakim creates breakout rooms and assigns tutors to each room for students to get help with homework. Students are then sent to breakout rooms depending on what subject they need assistance in. Hakim also participates in the various breakout rooms to check in with students.
As far as who helps students, Ms. Kovacs is present everyday from 4-5 pm, Ms. Spencer-Mills participates on Mondays and Wednesdays, and Mr. Olsen comes in on Thursdays from 3:15-5 pm. Like previous years, there are also paid and volunteer student tutors.
As of now, attendance has been relatively low with primarily juniors and sophomores attending. It has been a challenge for the tutors and Hakim to get students to seek out help through the center; compared to years past where students could easily pop into the library after-school, this year, students are having the spend extra hours on Zoom on top of their already mandatory Zoom classes and online homework assignments. Hakim explained that “now it is more screen time after being in front of your computer all day for class. Zoom fatigue seems to be a major issue.”
Still, Hakim noted how helpful it has already been for the students who have been utilizing this resource; “the tutors have been amazing with the students in need. Kids are able to get a lot of questions answered.”
It has been helpful and a great resource for students that come. The tutors have been amazing with the students in need. Kids are able to get a lot of questions answered.
– Israel Hakim, Homework Center Coordinator
With finals week coming up and the new semester approaching, this is a resource that all Mills students can take advantage of to get one-on-one help with their classes. Incoming freshmen are especially encouraged to take advantage of this resource to help smooth the transition to high school.
If you have any questions, email the program coordinator at ihakim@smuhsd.org.
