TUTORING: Football players get after-school homework help.
By Hannah Lerstad, News Writer
Poly’s Varsity and Junior Varsity football players have mandatory after-school tutoring if their GPAs are below a 2.5.
Since Poly’s football season started two weeks early and the school year started late, the tutoring program was able to begin earlier than expected. Tutoring began the week of November 5.
Tutoring will be held twice a week for an hour after school. It will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
“Tutoring is mandatory if they have less than a 2.5 GPA. They have no choice,” former Coach Jeff Huerta said.
Players with low GPAs can receive help from their fellow football players; they can get into cooperative groups to provide a system of support. Team members work with each other to get help in subjects that may not be their strong point or to just answer a few questions. The tutoring encompasses all subjects and allows players the opportunity to work on homework or make-up work and tests. The coaches also work closely with teachers and receive information on assignments given in class. This connection makes sure that no players fall behind in class and provides the coaches a chance to check up on their players’ grades.
The tutoring program was used last year, and was so successful the Poly football coaches wanted to bring it back. When used before, the new focus on academics had a noticeable effect.
“Last year at the start of second semester we had over 30 kids under a 2.5 GPA, and by the end of second semester we had three kids. It was awesome,” Huerta said.
“We’re trying to keep grades up. The most important thing is not the sport – it’s the education,” former Coach Neil Schlesner said.
The off-season tutoring allows football players to receive help from other players who may be doing better in a certain class or who may have already taken that class. For example, a player in Geometry can get help from a player in Pre-Calculus.
The football tutoring program is similar to study hall sessions used by other sports teams, which also have student-to-student help.