EAST SIDE LEARNING CENTER

“Unlocking each child’s potential through the foundation of reading”

An educational ministry with the School Sisters of Notre Dame

Handbook for Tutors

Revised: September 2010
 Table of Contents

Welcome ............................................................................................................................................... 2

Mission Statement/Vision/Core Values ................................................................................................. 3

Tutor Responsibilities ............................................................................................................................ 4

Tutor Policies ........................................................................................................................................ 6

Procedures.......................................................................................................................................... 10

Cultural Awareness Tips ..................................................................................................................... 13

Effective Ways to Work with Students ................................................................................................ 14

Tips for a Successful Last Day............................................................................................................ 15

Contact Information ............................................................................................................................. 16

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 Welcome

Welcome to the East Side Learning Center, an educational ministry with the School Sisters of Notre
Dame. As an ESLC volunteer, you will tutor K-4 children one-on-one in reading. You may have
chosen to participate in our program for a number of reasons, such as meeting new people, gaining
new skills, or taking a break in your day to make a difference.

Our volunteers make a huge impact on the lives of the children they tutor. We thank you for saying
“yes” to this wonderful experience. Whether you are a new or returning volunteer, please take the
time to acquaint yourself with the information included in this Handbook.

The ESLC welcomes all children in St. Paul who are reading below grade level and do not have the
resources to get help elsewhere. The cultural diversity of the students we tutor proudly reflects the St.
Paul neighborhoods where we serve.

This year we are celebrating a decade of serving children and families of St. Paul. From our
beginning of tutoring 19 students at John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary, we have grown
to multiple sites where we tutor 200+ students with the aid of volunteers. We appreciate the gift of
your time and want your experience to be a rewarding one. Thank you!

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Mission Statement
Unlocking each child’s potential through the foundation of reading.

Vision
To be a major force in ensuring that all children have the opportunity to read at grade level by 4 th
grade.

Core Values

LOVING, affirming and respectful atmosphere

EDUCATION that transforms, encouraging each child to reach the fullness of their potential

ACCOUNTABILITY and careful stewardship of community resources

RESULTS, driven by high quality, systematic approach and academic rigor

NEEDS of children drive where we put our resources

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 Tutor Responsibilities

Keep Your Commitment

Students expect and look forward to one-on-one time with tutors. Please notify the ESLC if you are
unable to keep your commitment.

Arrive On Time
Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early so that you can acquaint yourself with the lesson and seek
clarification, if necessary.

Document Volunteer Time

Record hours tutored in the ESLC Tutor Log each time you tutor since we are accountable to donors
for contributed services. Some colleges and businesses require a record of volunteer hours. Credit for
hours served cannot be verified if volunteers do not sign-in.

Wear ID
The ESLC provides all volunteers with a name badge. Please be sure to wear it throughout the
tutoring session.

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Read Tutor Board
Be sure to read notices on the tutor board. This is one way that the staff is able to communicate with
you.

Communicate With Staff

Share in writing any insight, problems, or progress observed on the lesson plan at the end of each
tutoring session.

Respect Student Privacy

All personal information revealed by a student or a staff member must be confidential unless it is
something dangerous to the student or someone else. If a student reveals that s/he is being harmed,
hurting someone else, or hurting her/himself, inform a staff member immediately.

Attend Trainings And Workshops

Research indicates that tutors need ongoing training and feedback to be effective tutors. Therefore,
the ESLC provides several trainings throughout the year. It is highly recommended that you attend
these events.

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 Tutor Policies

Background Check
All volunteers are required to submit to a criminal history background check prior to acceptance as a
volunteer. A signed consent for release of information must be obtained from the prospective
volunteer prior to a request for a background check.

Coats, Purses and Valuables

It is best to keep purses and keys with you during tutoring sessions. The East Side Learning Center is
not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Child Abuse and Neglect

All individuals who work with children in Minnesota are required by law to report suspected abuse.
The ESLC is concerned about the welfare of the children it serves. If a tutor has reason to believe
that a child has been neglected, or physically or sexually abused, this must be reported immediately
to the Site Coordinator. If there is a concern and you are unsure of what to do, call the consulting line
for child protection at (651) 266-4500. Never try to deal with abuse and neglect issues on your own.

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Dress Code
Tutors are expected to present a clean, neat and tasteful appearance. Please observe the following:

 Shoes must provide safe footing and protection against hazards.

 No overly revealing clothing or apparel with inappropriate logos or phrases.
 Caps and “sag” pants are not allowed.

Grievance
The ESLC has an established grievance policy for any tutor who believes s/he has experienced a
violation of personnel policy. The procedure is as follows:

1) Bring the grievance to the attention of the Site Coordinator or Coordinator of Volunteers.
2) If the matter cannot be resolved at the first level bring the matter to the Executive Director. The
Executive Director may bring the matter before the ESLC Board of Directors for resolution.

Harassing, Offensive and Violent Behavior

The ESLC is committed to providing a safe and secure environment that is free from all forms of
discrimination and conduct that can be considered harassing, offensive, coercive, or disruptive,
including sexual harassment.
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Sexual harassment may be overt or subtle. Some behaviors that are appropriate in a social setting
may not be appropriate at the ESLC. Whatever form it takes—verbal, non-verbal or physical—sexual
harassment is insulting and demeaning to the recipient and will not be tolerated at the ESLC or at
ESLC sponsored events.

Parking
There is curbside and lot parking at John A. Johnson. Only curbside parking is available at North
End/Franklin and St. Matthew’s. Valuables should not be left in cars.

School Closings
When St. Paul Public Schools are closed or after-school activities are cancelled, the ESLC is closed.
Check radio and TV announcements for school closings due to inclement weather. Refer to calendar
for early release days or non-program days.

Safety Drills
In the event of a fire drill follow the directives of the Site Coordinator. Everyone must exit the building
and stand a safe distance from it. Remain outside until administration indicates the drill is over.
Follow the directives of the Site Coordinator for tornado drills and lockdowns.
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Substance Abuse
Alcohol and drugs impair the ability to think clearly and function effectively and often lead to
dangerous situations. Accordingly, the ESLC is a substance-free zone. Any tutors found possessing
or under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be terminated.

Tutor and Student Relationships

All contact between tutors and students must take place at the site during arranged hours. Tutors are
not to meet with students outside of the program. Although students benefit from extra adult attention
and individualized instruction, tutors should not discipline students, diagnose student needs, evaluate
achievement or counsel students.

Tutors are expected to work with and compliment the efforts of the staff person assigned to the
student. If the actions or decisions of a tutor contradict the teaching lesson or positive learning
environment, the tutor relationship may need to be terminated.

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 Procedures

Absence and Lateness

Call 651-793-7331 at any time of day or night and leave a message if you are unable to tutor. If you
will arrive late, notify the site where you tutor. (Contact information is at the back of this Handbook.)

Restroom
If your student needs to use the restroom or drinking fountain, accompany the student and wait for
him/her in the hallway.

Meeting Student
Greet your student near the entrance of the Learning Center and accompany him/her to the assigned
tutoring space.

Sign Lesson Plan

It is important for you to sign your name on the lesson plan in red ink. If we have any questions about
the lesson, then we are able to contact you and discuss it.

Lesson Plan
Check off all activities completed during the session. If an activity is not checked, it is assumed it was
not covered.
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Take Home Books
At the beginning of each tutoring session students have an opportunity to re-read books from the
previous lesson or one they are returning. Research indicates that reading lots of easy books and re-
reading builds fluency as well as student confidence.

Encourage students to take books home with them. Be sure to record book titles on the lesson plan
before the student takes them home.

Observations
Please write your observations and recommendations on the lesson plan. These help in planning the
next lesson for the student.

Dismissal
At the conclusion of each tutoring session you will hear two bells. The first bell is for wrapping-up the
session and the second bell is for dismissal. Please dismiss the student only at the second bell.
At the end of the session, erase the white board and leave the area in order for the next tutor.
Students are allowed to help put board games away. Staff will return all other instructional materials
after the tutoring session—please leave them in the student folder.

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Child Cooperation
If you are unable to get a child to cooperate, give the student a short break. After a couple of minutes,
invite the child to re-engage. Remind the student that his/her responsibility is to learn and listen and
your responsibility is to teach. If a child continues to be unfocused or uncooperative, ask for
assistance from a staff member.

Always Remember To…

 Wear ID throughout tutoring sessions and be sure to return the name badge when you finish
tutoring.

 Record hours in the Tutor Log each time you tutor.

 Arrive early enough to review lesson plan and prepare for the child assigned to you.

 Indicate what was accomplished on the lesson plan.

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 Cultural Awareness Tips

1) Take time to learn about the culture and lifestyle of students.

2) Treat students fairly and respectfully.
3) Recognize that differences can, but need not, be a source of conflict.
4) Understand that all cultural groups have values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that make
sense in their own context, and therefore, are valid.
5) Suspend judgment when confronted with differences.
6) Honor each and every student.
7) Set high expectations for student behavior. Cultural differences are not an excuse for
inappropriate behavior.
8) Take advantage of opportunities to expand your understanding of one another. Celebrate
cultural differences!
9) Keep in mind that young people tend to express themselves through actions, adults through
words—don’t expect reciprocity.
10) Be sensitive when asking questions. Refrain from asking questions you wouldn’t feel
comfortable answering.

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 Effective Ways to Work with Students

 At each tutoring session establish rapport—encourage student to “settle in” and focus.
 Tutors are in charge of the session—be kind, but firm.
 Help students feel confident and positive.
 Follow the lesson plan.
 Remember that it is okay to make mistakes. It is important for children to hear apologies and to
know that no one is perfect.
 Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.”
 Give undivided attention to students when tutoring—turn off cell phones. Listen attentively.
 Never allow a student to struggle to the point of frustration or tears.
 Encourage a student with praise: “I like the way you went back and reread the sentence so
that it made sense.” Commend the student for using pictures, letter sounds, self-correcting,
and for reading smoothly and with expression.
 Ignore disruptive behavior designed to get attention.
 Be considerate of a child’s feelings.
 Be patient and remember that a student is a child learning many lessons of life.
 Maintain a sense of humor. Enjoy yourself!

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 Tips for a Successful Last Day

As you conclude your tutoring relationship consider the following:

1) Remind the Site Coordinator of your final day.

2) Give your student advance notice (at least two sessions) of the final day that you will work
together.
3) It is important to keep commitments. Do not promise a child that you will return unless you
are 100% sure that you are able to do so.
4) Talk about what you have learned from one another and what you accomplished in terms of
reading.
5) Thank your student for his/her cooperation, friendship and trust.
6) If you desire to gift your student, consider giving them an unwrapped school supply, such
as markers, pencils and crayons.

Consult your Site Coordinator if you have any questions.

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 Contact Information

East Side Learning Center

740 York Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55106
Phone: (651) 793-7331
Fax: (651) 793-7310

Coordinator of Volunteers: Krista Eichhorst

Email: krista.eichhorst@spps.org

Program Director: Sister Sharon White, OSF

Email: sharon.white@spps.org

Executive Director: Sister Audrey Lindenfelser, SSND

Email: audrey.lindenfelser@spps.org

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 John A. Johnson Achievement Plus
740 York Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55106
Site Coordinator: Sister Donna Walerius, SSND
(651) 793-7331

North End/Franklin Elementary

27 E. Geranium Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55117
Site Coordinator: Mary Wozniak
(651) 744-2193

St. Matthew’s School

497 Humboldt Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55107
Site Coordinator: Sister Thomasin Sergot, SSND
(651) 224-6912

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