It's hard to believe school is almost over!  With tutors working in the classroom across three Redwood City public schools, we impacted the lives of approximately 350 deserving students in a positive way, reading with them, connecting with them, and showing them that there are adults that really care about their future.  

We've so enjoyed getting to know the kids we work with over the school year, and this is one of the most enjoyable aspects of volunteering with Los Ayudantes.  

Do you have a heart-warming story or testimonial about your experience that you'd like to share?  Was there a moment when you feel that you really made a difference or brightened the day of a student?  Do you have any other suggestions or comments?  Let us know by clicking here to access our feedback form.  

Please spread the word to your friends about our volunteer opportunity for next year.

Tutor Appreciation Luncheon, May 22nd

A Word from the Principals at MIT and Kennedy

Message from Nick Fanourgiakis, Principal McKinley Institute of Technology:

"McKinley Institute of Technology is honored to have a continued partnership with Los Ayudantes.  Los Ayudantes' volunteer "helpers" have been providing reading support for many McKinley students. Their volunteers have been kind, flexible and always willing to go the extra mile to support students and their teachers.  We hope Los Ayudantes continues to expand and gain new mentors to support more Redwood City students."

Message from Sabrina Adler, Principal Kennedy Middle School:

"Kennedy Middle School has partnered with Los Ayudantes for the past two years and is looking forward to continuing this relationship into the future. Each week, students look forward to working with the volunteers one-on-one or in a small group. Volunteers read with students, converse with them, help them with research and grammar skills, and work with them on their writing. Beyond that, they become role models and mentors for our students, which is so important during this middle school period where students are going through puberty and trying to figure out their identities."

Fair Oaks School to Close

The 4th/5th grade Bookclub program at Fair Oaks School was Los Ayudantes' first tutoring program in 2002.  Sadly, Fair Oaks school will be closing at the end of this year's school year.  We have made a strategic decision not to continue the 4th/5th Bookclub program at the schools where Fair Oaks students are transferring.  Instead we will continue to focus on in-class tutoring for 6th-8th graders, a program where we have unique differentiation among other literacy non-profits in our area. 

We are happy that many of our Bookclub tutors are considering helping out at MIT and Kennedy next year. Many thanks to all of them for the countless hours they have dedicated to the students at Fair Oaks. 

Here are some articles and websites to learn more about the closing of Fair Oaks Community School: 

Redwood City School District Statement

San Mateo Daily Journal - Redwood City Schools to Close​

Amazon Smile Donations

Middle School Behavior Explained!

Follow the link below for a great article about middle school kids' psychology from a teaching best practices website/blog.  One of the aspects of middle schoolers behavior the author lists is that they're pulling away from their parents during this time. So teachers (or tutors in our case) can become trusted adults that aren't their parents. 

The author writes, "As a trusted adult in their lives, you’re in a unique position to influence these kids and fill in the gaps that have been left by their self-imposed isolation from their own families, so remember to be the adult:  Advise responsibly, model smart decision-making, and unless you suspect genuine abuse, avoid taking the child’s side over their parents’."

Read on about 7 other important aspects of middle schoolers here: 8 Things I Know for Sure About (Most) Middle School Kids​.