During a time of remote learning, BHTutoring, a program in the Beverly Hills School District, offers tutoring services for struggling students. Compared to previous years, where all instructions were given in person, BHTutoring has fully adapted to the new method of teaching. Through Zoom, students are given peer-to-peer tutoring and mentoring sessions for an hour each week.
The transition from in person to online learning has not come easy for most students, especially those in elementary and middle schools. Students report that it is now more difficult to focus during class. Distractions such as phones, games, and even toys remain around children’s study areas since parents cannot always monitor them. Students also say they have a hard time managing their classwork while keeping up with their newly changed schedule.
“I’ve always been a good student, but with the change to online learning, it’s been pretty hard to stay on top of all my assignments,” says Gabriel Franks, an elementary school student in Beverly Hills. Many students like Gabriel have no one to monitor them during school, when they stay home alone and attend classes. After signing up for BHTutoring, Gabriel has received instruction from experienced high school tutors, helping him to stay on track. Additionally, he adds that “it was fun and easier to talk to the tutors because they’re students, not adults.”
While working as part of the leadership team for the program, I learned that students often open up to tutors during lessons that they might otherwise be uncomfortable sharing with an adult. Bella, a second grade student in Beverly Hills says “it’s nicer to talk to my high school tutors because they relate to me.” On top of being a program where students receive help on schoolwork, BHTutoring also allows for peer-to-peer counseling between the student tutors and the children involved in the program. “We try our best to connect with the students. It’s always nice when they’re able to open up and talk to us,” remarks Jean, a senior tutor in BHTutoring. “I think it’s also great how each tutor is matched with the student that needs help in the areas they are the most confident in- the application process for the tutors takes care of that well,” she adds.
This year, the BHTutoring program costs $240 per semester for both residents in Beverly Hills as well as non-residents who live outside the city. Parents from any district can now sign up on bhtutoring.com to register their child for the fall session, while the upcoming winter session begins on January 5th.
