What’s Right With Our Schools: New center helps Bleckley County Elementary students focus on homework

COCHRAN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Doing homework is usually done at home, but Bleckley County Elementary is helping students get their lessons done at school before class starts.

“This is about supporting that child and making sure they understand exactly what to do every single night,” says Principal Janet Deloach.

Teachers have a new resource at their school. The morning homework center is designed to give students a chance to turn in homework on time. Everyday from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., the center is open for students to come for extra help. Teachers feel some reasons students don’t finish homework is because they didn’t understand or just didn’t have anyone at home to help.

RTI Specialist Dee Dee Allen says, “They come in and somebody can check it, somebody can make sure they understood it and they’re not just writing down something. We can make sure it’s correct.”

“You don’t have to be afraid to ask someone if you need help,” third grader, Shay Ates explains.

“Children need to absolutely know that we are here for them and that it’s okay to make a mistake. It’s okay that maybe mom or dad were working,” Deloach adds.

Third grader Dequavis Benjamin looks forward to the homework center. He says if he can’t get it done at home, he can count on Mrs. Allen or other teachers for help.

“I can, like, ask her or my teacher can they, like, help me, I just get it right then,” Benjamin adds.

“They don’t have that fear of ‘oh, I’m going to get in trouble, I hadn’t done my homework.’ It makes them feel more confident, better about themselves to come to class ready and ready to do what the teacher wants them to do,” Paraprofessional Gayle Rustin explains.

“When I’m at home and my momma don’t know what to do, and I don’t know what to do, I come to school and the teachers at school help us and we get all of our work done,” says third grader Kentrell Hand.

These teachers are ensuring all of their students know that they’re there whenever they need a helping hand.

The center is free for students to use.