High School Students and Community Learning Center Grow Together at Monroe School
Monroe Community School programs offer opportunities not only for students of the school and their parents, but also for local high school students. During a school year, Monroe hosts approximately 70 students from different high schools, to complete their community service hours required for graduation. These students then contribute hours of help to Monroe children and their families, performing various tasks based on the school’s needs.
The students are able to help elementary students with academic and social skills. “I help students to read, count, and understand some words they don’t know,” says Sonia Flores, a 9th Grader at Carl Schurz High School. “I really enjoy this very much because I like helping children with their work.” The high school learners also have the opportunity to become role models to the younger kids, while at the same time, acquiring life-long skills that will help them become better individuals. Explains 10th Grader Denisse Resendiz, “I love my job as a tutor. This has been a very great experience for me to help the teachers and children, especially because I love helping and taking care of others. I am really happy I had the chance.
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The high school learners often prefer to complete their service hours in the community school because it offers convenient evening hours, flexible schedules, and the opportunity to give back to the neighborhood were they grew up. The program also helps the high school students to understand the importance of being responsible, accountable and reliable. They have the benefit of practicing real life working skills, like signing in and out, following rules and regulations, and mimicking all the task and skills required to keep real employment.