Where to get help with kids’ homework, tech problems for free or cheap in Wichita
This fall looks remarkably different for thousands of Wichita public school students and parents this year, thanks to building shutdowns prompted by concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. All middle and high school students — and many elementary-aged children — are taking courses virtually for at least the first nine weeks of the fall semester, which may leave parents struggling to figure out technology problems and how to help with coursework.
If you find yourself needing assistance now that the school year is underway, here are some free or low-cost options for help, as well as free meal options, available in Wichita.
If you know of other resources, email Amy Renee Leiker at aleiker@wichitaeagle.com.
Homework and tutoring
Starting next week, Wichita Public Schools will resume its weekday homework help hotline, which connects struggling students with certified teachers qualified to assist with their assignments. The hotline, which is free to all K-12 district students, operates from 3:30-7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday each week. Parents who need help supporting their child’s at-home learning can also use the hotline. Questions can be posed over the phone at 316-973-4411 or emailed to homework@usd259.net.
The district is also encouraging students learning through the MySchool Remote option this semester to interact with their teachers and ask questions as they would in a traditional in-person school setting, as well as use their Microsoft Teams chat. Students and families can also make appointments to meet remotely with their teachers and call or email their school building if they need extra help. More information is available on the district’s website, www.usd259.org.
The Journey Church, 9999 E. Harry, is hosting an “Internet Cafe” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays. Students who are in 6th through 12th grades will have free access to Wi-Fi on their school-issued devices and light tutoring in a supervised and safe environment. Students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis each day the cafe is operating. For more information, go to www.journeywichita.com/internet-cafe, call 316-990-6234 or email associate pastor Heather Perkins at heather@journeywichita.com.
Wichita non-profit YEEP (Youth Educational Empowerment Program) has launched a program to help Wichita public school students in 6th through 12th grades with remote learning for their first semester. For $75 a week, students can meet in person with tutoring staff at the Word of Life Church, 2020 E. Blake in Wichita. The program operates from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every weekday except Wednesday and includes breakfast and lunch. Students will get help with classwork, have gym time and receive training in fields like videography, photography, podcasting and more. Enrollment is limited to 50 students per week and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information including a tour an registration packet, call 316-351-5757.
Wichita Sports Forum, 2668 N. Greenwich, is marrying on-site tutoring and exercise with a new program that starts Monday. The Activat-E Learning, which advertises itself as flexible, stress-alleviating option for working parents seeking a structured school-like atmosphere for their kids, has three weekday care options. A full day costs $45, a half day with either morning or afternoon drop off costs $25 and after-school only care costs $10. Price breaks are available for students who attend multiple days. All ages are welcome. Substitute teachers and tutors will be on-site daily to provide help with coursework. Wi-Fi internet and printing are free for participants. The program opens at 8 a.m., but parents can drop off students as early as 7:30 am. for an extra $10. For more information or to register, go to https://wichitasportsforum.com/activat-e-learning/ or call 316-201-1414.
Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas’ Teen Learning Academy is for 6th through 12th graders who need help completing classwork during regular school hours. The program is open to Boys & Girls Club members from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, but there is currently a waiting list to join. Participants will receive assistance from Boys & Girls Club staff but the academy is also actively recruiting student teachers, substitute teachers and others who have experience educating children to help out. The cost is free with a $30 Boys & Girls Club teen membership. For more information or to get on the waiting list, call 316-201-1890 or go to www.begreatwichita.org.
Wichita Public Library’s “homework help” webpage, www.wichitalibrary.org/homework-help, has a variety of resources handpicked by its librarians to help tackle everything from math and writing to researching notable people and current events. Some of the tools require a library card to browse but most don’t. If you want a library card, you can pick one up for free at any Wichita Public Library location or start the registration process online under the “Get a Card” tab at www.wichitalibrary.org.
The United Way of the Plains’ 211 Information and Referral Service also can connect parents and students with tutoring and homework help resources. Dial 2-1-1 from your phone to get started. The call is free.
There are a variety of online resources for more general education help and skills practice if your student needs a learning boost in their non-school time. EBSCO Learning Express, for example, offers several skills improvement exercises that work with the state’s common core standards. You can find those by clicking on “School Center” at www.learningexpresshub.com. Others include Go Noodle, Khan Academy and Epic, a digital reading platform. You can find a bevy of resources at the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center, https://ksdetasn.org/kpirc, or by searching the web. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has other ideas at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/children/learning.html.
Technology support
Wichita Public Schools is running help centers at three sites through at least Sept. 25 to provide technology support and counseling services to families navigating class in a remote environment. Families and students can get help with district-owned devices on loan, Microsoft Teams and SeeSaw, as well as learn how to navigate class schedules and the MySchool Remote set up. The centers are open from 8-11 a.m. and 12:30-3:10 p.m. at North High School, 1437 N. Rochester; South High School, 701 W. 33rd St. South; and the Alvin Morris E. Administrative Center, 903 S. Edgemoor.
The Alvin E. Morris Administrative Center will also be open from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and Sept. 23 for families who need evening help.
No appointment is necessary but masks are required and those seeking support are asked to socially distance themselves from others in the building. Spanish and Vietnamese language interpreters are available.
You can also call the district’s help desk at 316-973-4357 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays for assistance with technology issues.
The City of Wichita has free public computers, internet services, printing, copying, and internet hot spots available for checkout at its three neighborhood resource centers. Center hours are 9 a.m to 5 p.m. weekdays at the Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center, 2755 E. 19th St., and at the Colvin Neighborhood Resource Center, 2820 S. Roosevelt. The Evergreen Neighborhood Resource Center, 2700 N. Woodland, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. All of the centers are closed from noon to 1 p.m. daily. People who show a photo ID can use the computers; younger children must be accompanied by an adult. For more details about services and how to access them, click on the “Neighborhood Resource Centers” tab on www.wichita.gov/council or call 316-303-8016 to reach the Atwater center, 316-303-8029 for the Colvin center, and 316-303-8042 for the Evergreen center.
Wichita Public Library has a free Book-A-Librarian program where you can get one-on-one technology help with computers, tablets, software, downloading e-books, social media tutorials and more. You have to have a library card in good standing to schedule an appointment. At least one day of advanced notice is required. Currently, the service is only offered at the downtown Advanced Learning Library Branch, 711 W. Second St. Call 316-261-8500 to schedule an appointment. For more information online, visit www.wichitalibrary.org/Services/Pages/Book-A-Librarian.aspx.
Where to get meals
Wichita Public Schools is offering free breakfasts and lunches through December to all students, regardless of income, thanks to an extension of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program. Children ages 1-18 are eligible, whether they are learning on-site or remotely. Families of students enrolled in the MySchool Remote option can pick up five days worth of breakfasts and lunches every week on Thursday from 5-6 p.m., while supplies last.
Students eating at school are not eligible for the remote food distribution program, although children who have not yet reached school age are. Families must provide proof that they have eligible children, such as bringing them to pick up meals.
There are currently 12 remote food distribution sites across town:
- Chester Lewis Academic Learning Center, 1847 N. Chautauqua
- Coleman Middle School, 1544 N. Governeour
- Curtis Middle School, 1031 S. Edgemoor
- Hadley Middle School, 1101 Dougherty
- Hamilton Middle School, 1407 S. Broadway
- Heights High School, 5301 N. Hillside
- Jardine Middle School, 3550 Ross Parkway
- Marshall Middle School, 1520 Payne
- Pleasant Valley Middle School, 2220 W. 29th St. North
- South High School, 701 W. 33rd St. South
- West High School, 820 S. Osage
- Wilbur Middle School, 1030 N. Tyler
For more information, including menus, go to www.usd259.org/remotefood.
To find a list of open food pantries and organizations that provide other essential services, call United Way of the Plains’ help line at 2-1-1 or go to https://211kansas.myresourcedirectory.com.
The Kansas Food Bank Warehouse also provides a food pantry list on www.kansasfoodbank.org under the “Need Food?” icon at the top of the page.
Other public school districts in the area including Goddard and Maize are also currently offering free meals to students, regardless of income, under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s expanded food program. Parents should contact their schools for more details on offerings and eligibility.
Tips for at-home learning
Stick to a routine. That includes set bedtimes and wake-up times, getting dressed every day, exercising, eating meals at designated times and setting aside a block of time for homework. Don’t forget to include regular breaks.
Find a distraction-free learning space. That may be a desk in your student’s room, or in a reasonably quiet household space like a living room or kitchen. Make sure it’s well-lit and available during school hours. Also, be creative. Sitting outside on a nice day might break the monotony.
Be patient and positive. Teachers are navigating a new way of educating students so there may be hiccups with technology and learning for a while. Don’t stress if things aren’t perfect but do communicate with teachers about any problems. Many are available by email, phone or can be reached through platforms like Remind and Microsoft Teams.
Take advantage of downtime. Have your student head outside or engage in an activity that doesn’t involve a computer, phone or TV screen while they are on recess, lunch or taking other learning breaks.
Don’t forget other needs. Your student’s and family’s physical, mental and emotional well-being are important, too. Reach out to hotlines and community resources if you are struggling.
Sources: www.pbs.org, the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center, the Kansas Technical Assistance System Network, U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
This story was originally published September 18, 2020 at 5:01 AM with the headline "Where to get help with kids’ homework, tech problems for free or cheap in Wichita."
