What a crazy, difficult whirlwind 2020 has been, thanks to COVID-19. Along with all our other concerns, parenting has become more challenging than ever. As we head into a completely new kind of school year, it’s so important to take a breath and get prepared — both mentally and logistically!
Psychology Today magazine recently published an article entitled, Back to School in a Pandemic: Tips to Foster Mental Health. Some of those tips focus on perspective, like embracing flexibility, practicing stress-reducing self care, and managing what you can, while releasing everything else.
They also suggest considering that everyone is doing the best that they can, and recognizing that the right options for you may not be right for others. Parents, teachers, and administrators are all struggling to make this chaos more manageable. Let’s try to be kind to each other and cut each other a little slack!
But for those who are looking for more practical, tangible ways to prepare for school, we have a way for you to kill three birds (or tips!) with one stone. They recommend that you:
- Establish a support system
- Plan ahead
- Use your resources wisely
How can you do all this at once? Find local tutors and academic assistance! If your child winds up struggling to keep up or they just need a little extra support, sometimes mom and dad are not the best resources. Whether we’re busy with work, we just don’t understand the new math or complicated rubriks, or our kids are just not as receptive to us after spending so much time together over the last few months — it’s a great idea to line up some reinforcements! Check out these tutoring services and homework help resources on both shores & online…
NOTE: Most everyone has a Covid plan or protocol. Check with each facility for details on both in-person and online options.
TUTORING & HOMEWORK HELP
H.O.M.E. Classes (Covington)
“Helping Other Mothers Educate.” They provide Christ-centered homeschool classes and tutoring for students K-12.
Homework Louisiana (Online)
This online resource, provided by the State Library of Louisiana, offers free tutoring and test prep to eligible library card holders statewide.
Huntington Learning Center (Mandeville)
(985) 727-0000; https://huntingtonhelps.com/
For almost 40 years, they’ve treated students as individuals, and tailored their tutoring programs to fit their unique needs, academic goals, and schedules. They also offer test prep.
Kumon Math & Reading Center (Mandeville)
(985) 626.1819; https://www.kumon.com/mandeville-central
The Kumon math program is a comprehensive curriculum that develops the necessary skills to help children progress from counting through calculus. The reading program begins with basic phonics and progresses all the way through advanced reading comprehension.
Learning Etc. (Harvey)
(504) 328-5535; https://learning-etc-la.hub.biz/
They offer rigorous, individualized curriculum, with one-on-one instruction to accommodate all learning styles, and all subjects and levels, plus ACT prep.
Mathnasium (Both Shores)
This facility, with locations on both shores, helps kids in grades K – 12 understand math by teaching in a way that makes sense to them.
Mandeville – (985) 626-6284; https://www.mathnasium.com/mandeville
Metairie – (504) 407-3040; https://www.mathnasium.com/metairie
New Orleans – (504) 676-6284; https://www.mathnasium.com/neworleans
Piece of Mind Academic Support Center (Mandeville)
(985) 629-4085; https://www.reachpieceofmind.com/
They provide an environment, programs, and tools to help children on the spectrum, or any other student who would benefit from specialized instruction in a unique, multi-sensory environment.
Reading Success Center (Harahan)
(504) 458-1475; https://www.readingsuccessctr.com/
This center offers low cost, small group and individual academic tutoring in reading, writing and math and enrichment for children in grades K-12.
SpiderSmart New Orleans (Jefferson)
(504) 881-1788; www.spidersmart.com/new-orleans
For 30 years, they have promoted a ‘whole child’ learning philosophy that prepares children to succeed in school and thrive in life. Their curriculum is designed to maximize academic achievement, but also instill confidence, respect for the greater world, and a lifelong love of learning.
Sylvan Learning (Both Shores)
They start with a four-step process which includes assess, plan, teach, and then apply. The result is the personal learning students need to be whomever they aspire to be. Covington – (985) 871-4050; Mandeville – (985) 641-0343; Harvey – (504) 361-4712; Metairie – (504) 885-5327
Technology & Learning Center (Mandeville)
(985) 778-2828; www.spidertechnologysolutions.com
This fun high-tech center offers homework study, affordable tutoring, ACT prep, homeschool computer classes, technology training, drama classes, summer programs, and more.
Tutor Doctor (Both Shores)
Their custom in-home and online tutoring service pairs every student with a local tutor who matches their learning style, personality, and goals. The result is a more comfortable, more engaging learning environment.
Mandeville – (985) 236-0937; https://www.tutordoctor.com/mandeville/
New Orleans – (504) 226-6777; https://www.tutordoctor.com/new-orleans
LOCAL PUBLIC LIBRARY RESOURCES
Jefferson Parish Library
https://www.brainfuse.com/highed/helpNow.asp?a_id=68272DDC&ss=&r=
Live online tutoring and other expert help, including video lessons, and writing and language labs.
New Orleans Public Library
http://nolalibrary.org/page/36/for-children/318/online-homework-help
In addition to homework help, they offer many virtual resources for children, including storytime videos, interactive electronic storybooks, chapter books, nonfiction, language learning, puzzles, games, and more.
St. Tammany Library
https://www.sttammanylibrary.org/learning-tools/homework-help/
Along with live tutoring, they provide access to a free reference site for students, teachers, and parents that provides homework help and facts on thousands of subjects.
