Moorestown Homework Helpers Offer Relief For Students, Families

MOORESTOWN, NJ — During the coronavirus pandemic, students across the country are spending a lot of time at home, and have been there for nearly a year.

The Moorestown Public School District offers a mix of in-person and remote learning, but many students have a hard time concentrating. It’s also difficult for parents who are working remotely to keep a constant eye on their child.

Homework Helpers, a free program started by four Moorestown High School students to offer virtual homework assistance, can help with all that. Sophomores Dylan Mies, Adam Connor, Evan Schaffer, and Lucas Megill founded the program to help students in Grades K-6 with homework. They felt they could make a difference by recruiting other high school student volunteers who excel in math, English and science.

“We help any kids with any questions in any subject,” Connor said. “We customize our help to their needs, and we add understanding.”

“We also introduce them to new concepts, and do things students might not necessarily do in school,” Schaffer said.

And their efforts have met with rave reviews from the 75 families they serve.

“Our homework helper Clare Socolow has been unbelievable,” Christine Joyner Catanella said in a social media post. “She has helped my kids so much, and is always so patient. I don’t know what we would’ve done without her.”

“It’s a great program,” Maria Nasidka-Reilly said. “Great experience for both high school tutor and younger student.”

The Homework Helpers site lists 55 tutors who have put in a total of about 350 hours of tutoring this school year, according to Megill. The tutors, who hail from all four grade levels, enjoy it as much as the students they help.

“I have been really enjoying spending my free time tutoring students who need help,” freshman Erica Zhang said.

“It’s really awesome to help people,” said Schaffer, who spoke about how amazing it is to see students improve.

The four founders all excel in every subject, according to parent coordinator Kate Mies. But Connor said the transition to remote learning was a struggle for everyone.

“My heart goes out to the kids who struggle online every day,” Connor said. “We give them a boost and help them be where they need to be.”

Students have help not just with learning the material, but with other aspects, such as turning in assignments properly.

“One student didn’t have a lot of homework, but they had a lot of missing assignments,” Schaffer said. “We worked together, and we were able to reduce the number of assignments he was missing.”

Tutoring also gives students the chance to spend time with people their own age.

“It gives them a break, and it gives their parents a break,”Megill said.

“Parents have had a positive reaction,” Connor said. “They said it’s helpful for their kids, and it’s a great thing to see.”

“Parents tells us how much their kids benefit, and how it’s a big break for them,” Schaffer said.

Anyone who wants to become a Homework Helper or any student who needs the help of a Homework Helper can visit the Homework Helper website.

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know of a local organization that should be profiled, contact Anthony.Bellano@patch.com.