Homework Hub Session Guidelines 

Please read the following guidelines below carefully. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us (text Homework Hub at 516-423-2543).

On Time and Prepared:  Please come on time and be prepared for your classes. If you are late, it throws off  the schedule and creates a domino effect for the rest of the day.

Tags:  Please remember to wear a Homework Hub tag at all times.

Mailboxes:  Before going to your assigned classroom please get your “mail.” You should find a manila folder for each student you will be seeing and any other pertinent information.

Manila Office Folder:  At the start of each lesson the manila office folder for each child should be reviewed. This folder stays at the Hub. After each session, please fill out the sheet stapled inside this folder. The manila office folder stays at the Hub and must be returned at the end of the lesson. This folder is not only a way to track students’ progress, but proof that you worked during that time.

Smile:  Please make sure you are smiling! These kids are tired and have been in school all day. Yelling and  hurtful sarcasm is unacceptable! A firm, enthusiastic, and caring, environment always works best. (Ticket rewards may be used for pre K— 5th grade students. (No more than 2-3 tickets per session. Ten tickets earns a pick from the treasure box.) We want our students to love coming to the Homework Hub!

Goal:  Always keep in mind that one of our goals at Homework Hub is to teach students independence and avoid becoming a crutch for them.

60 Minute Session:  A student's work is never finished until the 60 minute session is over. You should be able to extend the learning whether you are introducing the next topic or reviewing past topics. Start concluding the class a few minutes before dismissal to allow for the orderly transition of students leaving and arriving. However, do not dismiss your student/s early. (Parents and students know and will complain if you let them out even 1 minute earlier.)

Teaching Strategies: Although you may find one technique easier than another, please adapt your tutoring using the same methods as the student's classroom teacher. Communication with the student on how they are being taught at school is key. Often students go back to their classrooms having learned a different strategy at Homework Hub than what the classroom teacher has taught. This confuses the students and frustrates the classroom teachers. In addition, it causes district teachers to recommend using tutors from their child's school district only. (An exception to this policy is if the student completely understands the teacher’s goal and is capable of learning a "trick" or faster way to solve a problem and won’t confuse the information.)

Group Tutoring Sessions:  Please make sure to spend an adequate amount of time with each child during a group lesson. You need to be skilled enough to keep each child working, while meeting with each one individually in a continuous circle. Often, you will be able to teach them as a whole since the groups are created based on school and academic level.

Checking Work:  Very Important! All work needs to be checked before the student leaves class!!! We do  NOT want children going home with wrong answers! If it is not possible to get through all the work, then a lesson summary card should go home with the student and state that.

Parent/Teacher Communication Form:  In order to facilitate communication between parents and teachers, we use the Parent/Teacher Communication Form. This form is kept at the front desk and is used if parents have any questions or concerns they’d like to discuss directly with the teacher. Our front desk will notify you if you get such a request. It is the responsibility of the teacher to contact the parent to answer any questions within 48 hours.
 

Student Red Flag Form:  There is also a form at the front desk titled Student Red Flag Form. This form should be filled out when you feel a student is not meeting the goals set for himself/herself, is struggling with the material, or is in danger of failing an exam. This way there are no surprises for the parents and they are aware their child is struggling. If a parent is not made aware, then it makes the Homework Hub look bad. The parent(s) will blame us for the student’s poor performance.

Daily Priority Form:  This form is located on the students' registration page.

Behavior: If a child's behavior is inappropriate, interfering or dangerous, please discuss with Tracy  immediately so we can determine the most appropriate course of action.

Noise:  If a teacher notices any outside noise disturbing the session, please notify the office manager  immediately!

Pocket Folders:  For classes that require work to be brought back and forth from home please use our  colored, pocket folders located at the front desk. Let's impress the parents and show them what their children are learning!

Homework Hub Lesson Summary Cards:  These cards are located in each classroom. They must be  filled out for students grades Pre K-7th grade and sent home with them. For 8th-12th grade, it is optional based on need. Parents want to know what subject matter was covered and how their child performed. Try to make the parents feel as though they were part of the lesson. Please do not write anything that will scare or upset a parent… such concerns should be discussed with Tracy.

Materials:  Please let office manager know if we are running low on anything or if there is something you  need for your students.

Copy Machine:  Staff may use copy machine as needed. Please use the white Canon machine (located in  main office) if a lot of copies need to be made. Please do not use the paper with the holes for copying unless you are creating a binder. Try to make your copies on your own time. Obviously, if something comes up during your lesson and you need a copy, you may ask office manager for assistance.

Clean up:  If you take material or supplies from a different room, please put them back when you are finished. Clean up is a must! Everything has a spot and rooms should be kept organized. Whiteboards should be wiped clean before leaving. Please leave the rooms organized and ready for the next class.

Video Cameras:  Smile! Cameras are installed in every room for the children's and our own protection.

Confidentiality:  Student information is confidential and cannot be shared with anyone except Tracy. 

Cell Phones:  There is a no cell phone policy unless being used for educational purposes. This is one  of the biggest complaints we get. Students will tell their parents if you are texting or talking on the phone during the lesson.

Food:  There is no food allowed in the classrooms during a session without permission due to allergies.

Bathroom: Please escort students pre-K - 3rd grade to the bathroom, get a drink, or pick out a reward from the treasure box. If you have a group of children, please ask the office manager to assist.

Dismissal:  Please dismiss your pre-K - 7th grade students to a parent or guardian only! If the parent is not there on time, notify the office manager and he/she will take over.

Dress Code:  All teachers must present themselves in a casual but professional manner.

Smoking:  Smoking is not permitted in or directly outside the Hub. If you smoke, please take care to  eliminate any odor of smoke and use gum if necessary. Students have complained when teachers smell like smoke.

Cancellations:  Teachers will be paid for any session cancelled after 10am (late cancellation)on the day of their scheduled lesson, provided they notify Tracy immediately that they will be charging for the cancelled session and that they will use that hour to help in the office. If a teacher chooses to not work at the hub during that time slot, he/she will  not  be paid for the class. If a student cancels at the last second or does not show up to class (no show) please contact the front desk ASAP and then text Tracy and let her know within the first 5-8 minutes if you are charging for the missed lesson. Tracy will then assign you work to be done. (Most of the time she will ask you to spend the hour contacting colleagues and finding teachers to work for HwH. If you can't reach her, then please do that for us. Keep in mind that parents are  not  happy when we charge them. If the student has a legitimate reason and is usually reliable you may not want to charge. It can often result in the loss of a client.

Text Messaging:  The office uses text messaging to schedule students and teachers. The amount of  messages is staggering! If you don’t receive an answer, please confirm your text with “?” until answered. That will bring your message to the top.

Database:  Every tutor should have access to the database. Through the database, you can view your  upcoming classes, check your history, and keep track of your hours. (Please note if a class is “grayed out” that means the class is not running.) It is a lot of work to track all of the students and teachers, so if something seems wrong or missing, let us know! The database should email you your classes during the week, let you know what room you will be in, and keep you updated on your schedule.