PHS Tutoring Program Helps Students Succeed

The tutoring program is very helpful for students who would like to improve their grades.

Students who attend the tutoring program could improve their grade by 40 points like freshman Mary Ziminski who needed extra help in AP World History, particularly on primary sources. The program is also a helping hand to students who need help with maintaining their grades, such as freshman Abbey Dahl.

“My quiz grade went from 54 to 85 after one tutoring session,” says Dahl.

The tutoring program takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Freshman and Sophomore students are expected to report to room 205 in the Patton West Wing, and Juniors and Seniors are to report to the media center library in the East Wing of the Anthony building.

“Personally, I like having the kids come in for help…they really work hard in improving their skills and finding success,” Sophomore English teacher and Tutoring Program Coordinator Michelle Lisa said.

Students are signing in under the direction of Ms. Lisa.                                                                                                       photo by Kayla Gonzales

To participate in the program, students can just drop by, sign in, tell the coordinators what they need help with, and they will be assigned a teacher.

“We usually have seven tutors available, and seven as well on the other side [for the junior and senior tutoring] in multiple subjects. Each tutor has no more than 15 kids, and each student must know what they need help with,” Lisa states.

The same tutors who signed up at the beginning of the sessions typically stay, and some subjects include algebra, geometry, or history, biology, and English.

“When students are comfortable coming, they continue coming, and the tutors get to know them better,” Lisa says.

Combined, there are typically 50-70 kids that come per session.

“Math has the most kids coming in. We’ve  had more than 200 times where a student has signed in for math. English is the next biggest,” Lisa explains.

Two sophomores are seen helping each other out in the algebra class.                                                        photo  by Kayla Gonzales

Students agree that the tutoring program is good, and there isn’t anything they dislike about it.

“[I like] the amount of help I can get from NHS [National Honor Society], students, and teachers. There’s a lot of sources I can use,” sophomore Thomas George says. “I come here often, like two times a week. [I go to] a different subject each time.”

The tutoring program is convenient for students who need help to study, do homework, and prepare for tests.

“It helps you prepare for quizzes and stuff in my least favorite subjects. [English Teacher] Mr. Hunt once helped me for my English essay. It’s a good program,” sophomore Shanjai Sribavan pleasingly says.

Even if students do not need help with a subject, they can still come in and do their work.

A freshman is being tutored by one of the math teachers, Ms. Lollin.                                                                                           photo by Kayla Gonzales               

“Some students just come in for a quiet place with computers, and they’ll ask questions when they need help. It is not as intensive,” Lisa says.

The program has been running for about 18 years at Piscataway High School, and it continues to help many different students.

“I guess on a more positive note, more ninth graders have been coming in which shows they are transitioning and trying their best in getting the extra help they need,” Lisa states.