November 10, 2009

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Meeker Middle School Needs Tutors,
Mentors, Supporters
Small Investments with Big Returns

Changing demographics with related big needs has prompted Meeker Counselor Judy Rohm to reach out to Fairwood area neighbors to invest
in just one or two hours a week to make a difference in the life of a developing teen. It's a small investment that offers a big payback.

Meeker Middle School's Rohm said that students in her school would better flourish in school if a group of concerned neighbors could come alongside a student.

"Our children crave adult attention and thrive on personal, one-to-one interaction with adults who believe in their potential and in their uniqueness," said Rohm. "I have been a school counselor at Meeker
Middle School in the Kent District for about 25 years, and I see a greatly increased need for our children and young teens to have caring, consistent, personal time with caring adults."

Changing Demographics Raises Greater Volunteer Needs
According to Rohm, the redrawing of school boundaries a few years ago dramatically changed the school's demographics. Ten years ago, Meeker students came from local elementary schools such as Spring Glen, Carriage Crest, and Lake Youngs. Today, buses travel the length of Benson Highway as far south as Kent-Kangley Road to deliver students to Meeker.

"Students now also come from Daniel Elementary, East Hill, and Panther Lake," said Rohm. The end result is a student population that is more diverse and calls for a more holistic approach to serving each child.

"Our school now has 49 percent of our students living below the poverty line, a 25 percent transience rate, a 63 percent minority status and a majority come from single family homes," said Rohm.

In contrast, the minority population was at 26.2 percent just ten years ago. These numbers are not an exact apples-to-apples comparison as minority categories have changed over the years, but the point is still very true that the demographics and associated impacts have significantly changed.

Not only are children challenged with economic and family instability issues, non-English speaking students also need assistance. The number of prime home languages of students totals 40 different languages at Meeker, according to District Representative Bob Isenberg.

Who, What, How to Volunteer
"Volunteers can  make a difference and are welcome in our schools.  At Meeker we need volunteer tutors to help with reading skills, homework help, tutoring of non-English speaking students, piano accompaniment, helping in the library, and more," said Rohm.

It's her hope that our readers will seriously consider "becoming that special person who positively influences the life and future of a child."

To become a school volunteer, all will need to be fingerprinted and fill out a volunteer form at the front desk of the Kent School District Administration Building at 12033 S.E. 256th St. in Kent.

For more information, contact Meeker's Judy Rohm at 253 373-6385.