Information for Parents

What is Healthy Cities Tutoring all about?

Healthy Cities Tutoring (HCT)  is a leading community-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing a one-on-one volunteer tutor/mentor for students struggling to achieve success in school in the communities we serve. As an independent organization we partner with schools to deliver our services. In collaboration with schools, parents, tutors, and the community, HCT is distinctive in its approach and practices, going beyond traditional curriculum-based tutoring by addressing each student’s unique social, emotional, and academic needs. Healthy Cities Tutoring strives to create an environment where:

    • Students look forward to each tutoring session and see their assigned tutor as an ally, champion, and mentor.
    • Tutors are driven by wanting to help. They have a strong sense of purpose and continue to develop and improve their tutoring skills. They see themselves as an integral part of the Healthy Cities Tutoring family and build connections with their students, parents, teachers, and Healthy Cities Tutoring staff. They know they are valued for their contribution and feel their own lives are enriched by their experience.
    • Teachers see the value of HCT in their classroom and support and communicate with the volunteer tutors. They appreciate the tutors’ time and contribution.
    • The collective community values Healthy Cities Tutoring and provides funding, volunteers, resources, and advocacy. They see how HCT positively impacts the lives of students, their families and the future of our community.

key points

    • Tutoring sessions are in-person once a week for an hour
    • Tutoring can take place during school hours or after school depending on class schedule, and student’s and tutor’s availability
    • Tutors are placed with students throughout the year and tutors are asked to commit until the end of the school year
    • Our community of volunteer tutors consists of high school students, retirees, working people, parents and other community members
    • Tutors are in general not professionally trained, but are people who want to give back to their community. Healthy Cities provides several trainings throughout the year and lends general support.
    • The student’s teacher is the main point of contact for the tutor and parent regarding the student’s progress

How can I request a volunteer tutor for my child?

If your child attends one of the schools we currently serve and is struggling and you feel they would benefit from weekly one-on-one help by a volunteer tutor, please contact your child’s teacher. Referrals are made by the student’s teacher completing a Tutoring Referral Form and submitting that to Healthy Cities Tutoring. You will be asked to sign a Parent Permission Letter. Based on your child’s needs and availability of tutors we will do our best to match your child with a tutor.

tutoring FAqs for parents

Do I need to fill out any forms?
We require a newly signed parent permission form before tutoring sessions can start. We will email the online form to you as part of the process of matching your child with a tutor.

How does my child share their work with their tutor?
We hope that your child’s teacher will provide work for them to do with their tutor. We encourage tutors to be in touch with teachers and to contact HCT staff when their student consistently does not have work to do. Middle school students are encouraged to take ownership of their sessions and work with their teachers and tutor to make sure it’s a productive and enriching use of time.

What should I do if my child needs to miss a session?
Contact your child’s tutor and let them know. If possible, reschedule for a mutually convenient time.

What should I do if my child’s tutor doesn’t show up for a session?
Contact your child’s tutor and see if there was a misunderstanding. If possible, reschedule for a mutually convenient time. If it is a recurring issue, please reach out to the HCT program coordinator for your child.
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