City launches new tutoring program for students

BOSTON - In a move that demonstrates the entire city's commitment to helping children learn, Mayor Thomas M. Menino joined with Boston Teachers Union President Richard Stutman to announce the BTU Library Homework Helpers, a new program that will provide free tutoring for all students at all branches of the Boston Public Library. Superintendent Thomas W. Payzant and Library President Bernard Margolis were also on hand for the announcement.

The Homework Helpers program will provide free tutoring for all students living within the city in grades Kindergarten through eight. The program is a union initiative that was first conceived by BTU President Stutman and will be funded with approximately $44,000 collected from membership dues. The tutors are all BTU members who applied for the opportunity. Union officials report that the response for this program was among the largest responses they've seen.

Mayor Menino expressed his gratitude to the BTU for their commitment to this program.

"I want to thank the union for their forward thinking in developing Homework Helpers," he said. "Now, on any given evening, Boston school children can receive the help they need from a Boston Public School teacher in all our branch libraries."

BTU President Stutman said his members were delighted to have the opportunity to offer this service.

"The Boston Teachers Union has a long history of reaching beyond the classroom to help children and parents in every Boston neighborhood," said Stutman. "This new partnership with the our city's great libraries and Mayor Menino will help our children realize the power that learning can play in their future."

The Boston Public Library was pleased to partner with the city, teachers and school department, said BPL President Margolis.

"This pairing of the significant resources of the Boston Public Library with the expertise of the city's teachers will benefit young learners in all neighborhoods of the city," he said. "The Library is proud to be included in this partnership with the Boston Teachers Union, The Boston Public Schools and the City."

Superintendent Payzant thank all involved for their commitment to students.

"This is a wonderful example of all facets of the city working together to help students," said Payzant. "The opportunity for teachers to provide out-of-school extra help is a great way for students to receive any additional assistance they may need and to showcase the talents of our teachers and our wonderful public libraries."

The program will begin on Monday, November 29 and run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. one night a week at all 27 of the Boston Public Library locations.