Homework Club builds bonds

PARK CITY — Park City grade-school students are getting a little extra help with homework as well as making friends, thanks to a one-of-a-kind group that has helped bring the community together.

Neighborhood Homework Club is a nonprofit community group in Jeremy Ranch established in 2005 that provides an additional avenue for parents to not only be involved but help supplement their child's education.

Kristen Robinson, a Park City substitute teacher and founder of the group, said it all started out as a way to meet the neighbors.

"We moved from California and we didn't know anyone, so it was sort of a way to get to know neighbors and establish friendships for my son," Robinson said. "There were also a lot of people who moved into this area and were looking for community."

The word got out, and now about 30 families are involved with students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

But it's not just for the kids. The group has one major requirement — parents must come.

"It's not baby-sitting," Robinson said. "At least one parent shows up, and it's a good chance for parents to get together and discuss school-related issues."

As for the students, Robinson and other parents prepare activities, divided up by age groups, that align with what students are studying in school.

During the weekly homework club meeting, students take the first part of the time doing homework. They bring assignments they need help on and are tutored in subjects where they are struggling. Robinson said oftentimes you'll find some of the older kids helping the younger ones.

After doing homework, they then get to engage in an activity, usually closely related to what they are studying in school, such as math games, language arts games, science projects and other activities aimed at supplementing what they are learning in the classroom, Robinson said.

But the other component of the club is service learning, something the kids say they like the most.

Last fall the group handcrafted more than 50 ornaments, representing the best of Utah and the theme of peace, to decorate the Utah tree at the Pageant of Peace in Washington, D.C. And a few families actually traveled there for the National Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Most recently the group raised money for Pennies for Peace, an organization aimed at helping children in Pakistan and Afghanistan purchase school supplies.

"The service part of it is great, and the kids love it," Robinson said. "It's good practice in becoming good people, and we have great resources here."

Aside from academics and service, Robinson said the kids seem to walk away with a sense of belonging.