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By Alexis Bocanegra
Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge
(773) 949-1509 • grcl.alex23@gmail.com
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August marks the beginning of the school year and the end of summer vacation for many of our younger residents. The start of a new school year can be a stressful time for students transitioning to middle school, high school, or college and for those advancing to the next grade. Part of this stress comes from homework, quizzes, and tests.
I’m here to provide parents, guardians, and students with resources for success in the 2024-25 academic school year. After all, I’ll be entering my senior year of college, I may have picked up a thing or two along the way.
The Chicago Public Library offers free online tutoring and homework assistance.
Brainfuse is a free service available through the Chicago Public Library. Tutoring services are available daily from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. with homework assistance. Services include live help from tutors, Writing Lab, Skill Surfer, and support for English as a Second Language.
The Writing Lab is a resource for all your writing inquiries or those seeking additional proofreading assistance. Skill Surfer offers lessons and videos for students ranging from kindergarten to college. These videos offer step-by-step explanations of academic subjects, organized by grade level.
Alexis Bocanegra
Skill Surfer also offers free practice exams and lessons for AP students, including ACT/SAT preparation. Students have the option to submit questions to online tutors and receive responses within 24 hours.
Additionally, Brainfuse offers the Flashbulb feature, which allows students to create virtual flashcards that can help in studying, testing, and learning through games.
Learn to Be is a free online tutoring program for individuals who cannot afford tutoring services. The non-profit provides children with free one-on-one tutoring to help them excel academically. A parent or guardian must enroll their child and complete a form to take advantage of this tutoring opportunity.
- UPchieve is another non-profit organization aimed at providing free tutoring and collet counseling to students. Parents or guardians are required to create an account for the student, selecting their grade, school, zip code, and student email. This process is designed to better match the student with a suitable tutor.
- Khan Academy is the go-to free resource for students ranging from kindergarten to college. It offers videos, interactive activities, practice exercises, and assessments in subjects like science, math, language arts, AP courses, history, economics, and test prep for ACT/SAT/LSAT/MCAT. You can also watch these videos free on YouTube, with expanded resources available if you make an account.
- Quizlet is another free resource that can help your kiddo study for upcoming tests or quizzes. Creating an account is straightforward, with an easy sign-up process. Children can create flashcards for vocabulary, math equations, science terms, and more. They can then reinforce their learning through practice tests, writing exercises, writing matches, and more.
Find out if your child’s school provides tutoring services before or after school!
News of note
- The Midway Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual backpack giveaway to ensure that all children in the community have the tools to succeed in the upcoming school year. It’s free to all families at the Kennedy High School parking lot on Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. Backups filled with school supplies for all ages – followed by a block party filled with fun.
- Help celebrate our summer of music at the Clearing Branch Library on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 2:00 PM with The Chicago Highlanders Pipes and Drums. Chicago Highlanders Pipes & Drums presents a concert, educational demo on bagpipes and drums, and information about the pipe band tradition of free bagpipe and drum lessons for the community. The Pipes and Drums of the Chicago Highlanders were established in 1921 and are one of the oldest pipe and drum corps in the United States. The band consists of pipers, drummers, and students of various ages and walks of professional life. It is a member of the Midwest Pipe Band Association where some members compete solo and with the band at local Highland Games.
- The Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch will host their biannual Sell-a-Bration Community Yard Sale on Sept. 7 from 8 am – 1 pm at the Kennedy High School parking lot. Those interested in selling should be aware that vendor registration opens on Aug. 14. A flyer will be posted on the Neighborhood Watch’s Facebook and Instagram pages on the date with a number to call. Spots cost $25. There are 75 spots available. Spots are secured through payments.
- The Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch’s combined Beat 811 meeting is open to residents of all ages! It’s held on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at St. Faustina Ward Hall, located at 52nd Street and South McVicker Ave. Every month at 7 pm. Representatives from the Midway Chamber of Commerce, 13th and 23rd Ward Alderman offices will also be there to speak with residents. Those unable to attend in person may join through the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch’s Facebook and Instagram Live.