TutorSmart Helps Bridge the Educational Gap
TutorSmart is an education support service that aims to help children in grades 1-8 who fall behind in the classroom. Unlike other programs, TutorSmart offers a data-driven curriculum in math and reading with small group or 1:1 virtual tutoring that goes beyond homework assistance. Most tutoring is done on a Toledo Public Schools campus by educators and hired tutors, and each session comes with a hot meal or breakfast. You can also take a session in different libraries throughout Toledo.
TutorSmart has been serving students for seven years, starting with just two schools in 2017. The program went virtual during the pandemic, opening up new opportunities and leading to eleven post-pandemic schools. TutorSmart focuses on lifting students to their actual grade level and giving them the tools to maintain that level of learning. This not only boosts their confidence but also improves their skills. It can be tough to watch your child struggle with their assignments, and with families already stretched thin due to the economy, TutorSmart provides relief in the form of free tutoring.
TutorSmart award-winning action plan
TutorSmart noticed that despite more than 120 organizations providing tutoring services throughout Toledo, students’ education scores were not increasing. This was because most of the assistance provided was limited to homework help, which didn’t effectively address the underlying skill gaps that prevent students from mastering their subjects. To address this issue, TutorSmart aimed to implement changes that would enhance the quality of a tutoring service in Greater Toledo, ultimately resulting in improved education scores across the board.
RELATED: Teaching Media Literacy to Kids
TutorSmart boasts an impressive 99% success rate in helping children achieve their grade-level reading and math skills in just six months. It’s no wonder that in October 2023, The Greater Toledo Community Foundation recognized and awarded TutorSmart for Excellence in Strategic Action. This prestigious award celebrates organizations that expand their programming or switch to a new service delivery model to meet their community’s needs better.
How it works
To get started, you can register your child through the website. Once registered, students will take a diagnostic test showing where each child stands academically. TutorSmart then collaborates with TPS, teachers, and even school psychologists to offer the best possible support to students. Once sites and schedules are determined, students will receive individual and small group tutoring, help with homework on an ongoing basis and have access to learning activities and computer enrichment exercises during after-school hours.
Virtual tutoring may be available for certain students during the school year, which is assessed on an individual basis.
Programs run from August until the last week of the school year. During the summer, 4th-8th grade is offered virtual 1:1 tutoring, and it’s all on their schedule; TutorSmart recognizes the busy summer schedules families can keep with extracurriculars, parents/caregivers working and vacations.
Upcoming events
TutorSmart, a nonprofit organization, is funded by individual donors, corporations, grants, and fundraisers such as this August’s golf outing.
The third annual charity golf scramble will be held at the Valleywood Golf Club on August 16. More information on registering to play in the golf scramble can be found on the TutorSmart website. With your help, TutorSmart can continue to keep this amazing program free for families!
Greater Generations Connects Youth to Community Through Work
Greater Generations offers a youth program designed to put young people to work improving their communities and learning job skills at the same time.
Executive Director of Greater Generations Ebony Robinson explains, “We want to encourage productivity, self-sufficiency in young adults, and just really ensure a proper transition into adulthood.”
Connecting youth to the community through beautification
Work experience through the program is focused on blight removal and community clean-ups. Young people learn to be a force for good in their neighborhoods by cleaning up trash and being part of the solution. Spending time actively making improvements in their community improves youth self-esteem because they see that they are making a difference. This feeling of self-efficacy (“I can do it”) translates to other areas of life including school and job success.
Youth who are involved in service learning in their communities feel more connected and invested in those communities. Ebony Robinson said that is why the organization has the following mission statement, “By teaching the value of a community, we teach to value our community.
Blight reduction and stronger community ties have both been shown to reduce crime. Outward improvements to neighborhoods that struggle economically and are experiencing blight and crime can make a real impact.
Connecting youth to work with job skills
In addition to improving teens’ connection to their communities, the program provides supportive mentoring so that the young people learn about the world of work. The program improves participants’ verbal communication skills, so they develop customer relations skills. They learn better time management, including understanding the value of showing up on time, every time. Basic life skills are also woven into the program, so that the young people gain knowledge about financial literacy, budgeting their money, driving safety and basics of how to run their household.
Work with Greater Generations is not paid, but youth can use their volunteer experience with Greater Generations to build a resume and demonstrate job skills. The young people who are in the program do receive incentives and stipends to keep them motivated and engaged.
Greater Generations impact
Beyond helping youth become job ready, Greater Generations aim is long-term impact to change the lives of the teenagers and young adults. Robinson explains that she wants to prevent cases of low economic status, criminal activity and negative behavior.
Several young people who started in Greater Generations when they were younger recently found jobs in fast food service and several others recently graduated from high school. Greater Generations began over six years ago, and Robinson said that they have plans to expand their programs to create more opportunities to impact young people’s lives.
Learn more
Any young person from Lucas County and surrounding areas ages 12 – 24 is welcome to participate in Greater Generations. Youth are referred most frequently from Toledo Public Schools and juvenile justice, but all young people are welcome to participate to gain work experience and get volunteer hours. Youth attend the program two times a week and put in work hours once after school and on Saturdays.
To learn more, email Robinson at [email protected] or call 419-270-5481.
One Weekend Only of Jurassic Quest at the Glass City Center
See a herd of photorealistic dinosaurs and participate in themed engaging activities at Jurassic Quest at Glass City Center, 401 Jefferson Ave, Toledo. This event will take place for one weekend only from April 26-28.
New this year, Jurassic Quest will include more family-friendly hands-on activities, education and fun among the life-like moving and roaring dinosaurs. Some of the new attractions include “Raptor Run” races which provide an opportunity for kids to face off with Jurassic Quest Utahraptors and “Rope-a-Raptor” where experienced “BrontoBusters” will help kids lasso stray dinosaurs and put them back to their pens.
According to a press release, attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy themed rides and attractions, live dinosaur shows, a giant fossil dig, real fossils, a soft play area for our littlest explorers, photo opportunities, a video tour featuring our star dinosaur trainers and more
Jurassic Quest has toured across the North America since 2013. It is the largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibition in North America.
It is open to the public on Friday, April 26 from 12-8pm, Saturday, April 27 from 9am-8pm and Sunday, April 28 from 9am-7pm.
Advance online purchase is recommended for ticket purchases. With general admission tickets, guests will get to participate in live shows, arts and crafts activities and dinosaur exhibits. Pricing for kids, adults and seniors are available. Children under two are free. Kids ultimate/ unlimited tickers includes admission, all-you-can-ride access to dinosaur rides, inflatables, fossil dig and more.
Jurassic Quest. Glass City Center, 401 Jefferson Ave, Toledo. April 26-28.
YMCA Holds Local Healthy Kids Day
The YMCA of Greater Toledo will be holding Healthy Kids Day® throughout April and May. Nationwide, Healthy Kids Day is celebrated by YMCAs as free and family-friendly events which encourage healthy kids and healthy families to kickstart the summer.
During the events, there will be engaging activities including interactive games and educational workshops. These activities are designed to encourage physical activity, creativity and connection.
“It is so important for kids to stay active over the summer, both physically and mentally,” said Beth Konczal, executive director of the Eastern Community YMCA. “At the Y, we are committed to providing families with the resources they need to foster healthy habits year-round. Healthy Kids Day is a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together and kickstart a summer of wellness and fun.”
Healthy Kids Day is sponsored nationally by Peanuts. Multiple community organizations and businesses will be joining the fun during Healthy Kids Day. Some local sponsors include Toledo Health Department, Office of Minority Health, Oregon City Community Schools, Humana, Imagine Planet, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and more.
Event dates:
Healthy Kids Days are free, however, some are only for members.
April 20: 11am-2pm – Wayman D. Palmer YMCA
April 20: 1-4pm – YMCA Storer Camps
April 30: 5:30-7:30pm – Eastern Community YMCA
May 04: 10:30am-12:30pm – West Toledo YMCA (member exclusive)
Find out more information for these events by contacting Shonna Moon at 419-205-0777 or [email protected]. More information can also be found at ymca.org.
RELATED: April’s Free Family Fun in the Toledo Area
Swanton’s DeEtte’s Dream Diner
This is a good time of year for a short drive. For a worthwhile adventure,…
Fun Fall Activities To Connect To Nature
Depending on where you live, you may already feel the air getting cooler and crisper.…
A Cozy Brunch and Lunch at Olive’s On Main
It was a sunny Monday morning, just before noon, and my 9-year-old held the door…