Weiser high school starts after school study hall

Last week saw the start of the after school study hall at Weiser High School. In past years the study hall was funded by a grant from the Gear Up program through the U.S. Department of Education.

 The program followed a group of students from their seventh grade year until they graduated last year. This year the Gear Up program went back down to the Middle School and will follow the current seventh grade class up until they graduate.

 Over the fall quarter, teachers saw a need of the students that was no longer being fulfilled. The study hall had not only offered students a place where they could work on homework or receive extra help, but it was also a safe place they could wait for rides or after school activities to begin. 

 Talking about why the teachers wanted to take over the program, teacher Michelle Chavez said, “We wanted the students to have a safe place to do homework and get a snack.”

 Chavez is heading the effort to provide the space for the kids to go to, with other teachers stepping in and volunteering their time as needed. The study hall is available Monday through Thursday, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

 Chromebooks are available for student use, so they can complete projects they might not otherwise be able to do at home due to a lack of computer or internet access. 

 Chavez said the study hall will allow students to complete homework, use Chromebooks and retake tests in a monitored environment.

 Principal Dave Davies spoke about the program, “It’s a great resource for all the students, not just ones who are struggling. Even ones who are getting great grades can benefit from having a place to finish up work before heading home.”

 Study hall is not mandatory for any student. Attendance fluctuates, with one day possibly seeing 17 kids utilize the program and the next day maybe only three students. 

 “It’s a wonderful learning environment. We have kids who are struggling and need help, and kids who can provide help to their peers,” Davies stated.

 In addition to getting work completed, students also have access to a snack. Students might not have a chance to eat dinner until very late in the evening due to after school activities. Since there is no grant, all snacks are based on donations received from staff and the community. 

 Food like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Go-Gurts have been donated so far. The study hall would be grateful for any donations, especially non-perishable food items such as peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, crackers, and fruit snacks. Plastic knives, napkins, paper towels and paper plates would be helpful also. 

 The donations can be brought to the high school front office during school hours.

  For more information, contact Chavez by email at chavezm@weiserschools.org.