1. Read your Vision/Parent Input Statement to the committee. Ask for your Vision/Parent Input Statement to be included in the present levels.

2. Take notes. Record the meeting if applicable-check your state’s recording laws and district policy on recording meetings.

3. Be an equal partner in the decision-making process. Discuss issues your child has that may affect his or her ability to receive educational benefits in the general education environment.

4. Make sure your child’s IEP goals are SMART-Specific, Measurable, use Action words, Realistic, and Time-Limited. Work to design specific, measurable, ambitious IEP goals-avoid generalized, and unmeasurable goals.

5. Ask questions & seek clarifications if unsure about something including acronyms.

6. Focus on the outcome, not the process.

7. Advocate for your child’s rights respectfully-no name calling or yelling. Congress understood that parents have every reason to advocate vigorously on behalf of their children.

8. Make every attempt to sustain relationships-try to work with and get along with all IEP committee members.

9. Keep an open mind. Listen actively-especially to the items you do not want to hear about your child.

10. Be sure you understand the prior written notice (PWN) provision in IDEA. IDEA states districts must provide the parent with notice whenever the district proposes to initiate a change or refuses to make a change in connection with the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the child, or the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

The post During the IEP Meeting: Tips for Parents appeared first on Boston Tutoring Services.

1. Holi (Festival of Colors). With Holi, there is a focus on themes of good triumphing over evil and the arrival of spring. Traditions include lighting bonfires (Holika Dahan) and throwing colored powders (gulal) to represent the colors of spring. Holi is celebrated on the last full moon in the lunar month of Phalguna, which usually occurs in March. Use these stunning images and articles from National Geographic Kids as classroom resources.

2. Nowruz (Persian New Year). Nowruz occurs at the vernal equinox, marking a “new day” and 3,000 years of tradition. Key activities include spring cleaning, gathering with family, and setting up a “Haft Sin” table with seven symbolic items starting with the letter ‘S’. This article is a great resource for learning more about teaching Nowruz in the classroom.

3. Passover (Jewish tradition). Passover is a festival celebrating the exodus from Egypt, featuring Seder meals, the reading of the Haggadah, and eating specific foods like matzah to represent freedom. There is a tradition called The Four Questions (Ma Nishtana), where the youngest child asks four questions about why this night is different from all other nights. A piece of matzo is also hidden, called Afikomen, and children get to find it for a prize. Learn more about the history and traditions of Passover with Britannica Kids.

4. Khmer New Year (Chol Chnam Thmey) is a vibrant three-day Cambodian holiday in mid-April (April 14–16) marking the end of the harvest season. It focuses on renewal, family, and cleansing, featuring house cleaning, offering fruit to gods, temple visits, playing traditional games, and lively water splashing to bring good luck. Celebrations involve traditional dancing, music, and social games. Click here for more information on teaching Khmer New Year.

5. May Day involves celebrating with flowers, crowning a May Queen, and dancing around a ribbon-covered maypole. It dates back to European traditions. Teaching May Day (May 1st) involves exploring its dual history as an ancient spring festival celebrating nature and fertility (Beltane) and its modern significance as International Workers’ Day. Key classroom activities include making May Day baskets and learning about labor history, often covering themes of community and the changing seasons. For resources on teaching May Day in the classroom, click here.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

The post Teaching Traditional Spring Festivals appeared first on Boston Tutoring Services.

1. Organize your child’s documents-can be organized in a binder with tabs for quick reference. e.g. IEPs, evaluations, progress reports, work samples, etc. Documents can also be stored and organized electronically using platforms such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or Box.

2. Use these tabs or sections when organizing your child’s documents:

• Copy of your Vision/Parent Input Statement
• Copy of last two IEPs including current IEP
• Copy of current Full Individual Evaluation (FIE) & any evaluations from outside service providers
• Copies of progress reports on IEP goals/objectives & general education report cards
• Copies of student work samples
• Goal tracker-can be created using a spreadsheet or table of the goals
• Any data collection sheets or documentation of any data being collected if collecting data at home or in the community
• Parent Contact Log & copy of any important emails-establish a separate email address for communicating with the district
• Notes
• Medical documentation-updated prescriptions & medical forms
• Copy of your parental rights-Procedural Safeguards
• Resources-informational guides, brochures, cheat sheets, list of acronyms, etc.

3. Make sure you understand why your child meets eligibility for an IEP. Review your child’s most current IEP, FIE, progress reports, work samples, etc.

4. Do research on your child’s area or areas of need.

5. Prepare or edit your Vision/Parent Input Statement to read at the IEP meeting. Your Vision/Parent Input Statement should be included in the present levels section of the IEP. Prioritize your child’s needs. Keep the focus on your child and not the district’s resources. If available include work samples done outside of school. Your Vision/Parent Input statement isn’t an official document. There is no special format you need to follow so it can be as simple as a letter or a list.

• Use strength-based language
• Be concise, be thorough
• Stay child-focused
• Don’t point out staff faults, only what affects your child
• Gives a holistic picture of your child
• Can include the following:
• Strengths, accomplishments & interests
• Successes outside of school
• Areas of need
• Strategies that are working & not working at home
• Behavior concerns
• What your child is saying about school
• Plans for life after high school
• Your parental concerns
• Your requests & what data you have (summarize) to support your requests.

6. Request a copy of proposed goals/objectives, accommodations, placement recommendations, and evaluations before the meeting.

7. Request a copy of the updated progress report-IDEA mandates IEP goals/ objectives are to be updated & sent home at the same time as regular report cards. Before an annual IEP meeting ask for an updated progress report so you can review your child’s progress on his or her IEP goals/objectives that have taken place over the IEP year. Review which goals were mastered and not mastered. Non-mastered goals and skills should be addressed in the new, proposed goals.

8. Prepare your recommendations, proposed goals & accommodations, questions, etc.

9. Gather all needed items the night before to take and have at the meeting-binder, notepad, pens, charged cell phone, audio recorder, water, snacks, etc.

10. Be prepared to listen actively. This means preparing to listen, paying attention, and observing both verbal and non-verbal communication. The purpose of active listening in a meeting is to acquire information and understand people and situations before responding.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

The post Preparing for IEP Meetings: Tips for Parents appeared first on Boston Tutoring Services.

Dysgraphia can be helped with occupational therapy to strengthen fine motor skills, support written expression, and speed up language processing. If a student is struggling with writing in a way that goes beyond what is developmentally appropriate, they should receive an evaluation by an occupational therapist for remediation. Early intervention for orthographic processing, fine motor coordination, and written expression can help alleviate the difficulties that students with dysgraphia face. Here are 5 ideas about curriculum, accommodations, and tools that can help teachers in supporting students with dysgraphia.

1. Provide access to speech-to-text tools. Assistive technology accommodations can support students with dysgraphia in their classroom writing tasks in all grades. There are several free, easy-to-use speech-to-text dictation tools. Students can use Google’s voice typing function in the Chrome browser, Dragon Dictation, or Apple’s Speak Screen functions.

2. Teach cursive writing. Cursive writing has fewer starting points than disconnected print letters, which translates to improved writing speed, more consistent letter sizing, and neater overall appearance of writing. Watch a free webinar on the importance of cursive writing instruction for students and use cursive writing books from Handwriting Without Tears to teach cursive writing as early as first grade.

3. Teach typing. Typing can be easier than writing once students are fluent with keyboards. Teach typing skills starting as early as kindergarten and allow for ample typing practice in the classroom. Many schools and districts have typing programs to support their students’ budding typing skills. Great online typing programs include Nessy Fingers Touch Typing (which costs money), TypingClub, and the games at Typing.com.

4. Allow note-taking accommodations. Copying notes from a whiteboard can be a particular challenge for students with dysgraphia. Allow students to take pictures of lecture notes to review later. Students can use a free optical character reader (OCR) like Prizmo Go (for iOS) or Google Keep (for Android) to automatically read text from the photos to review those notes.

5. Use graph paper for math assignments and tests. Graph paper helps students with dysgraphia stay in the lines, which becomes increasingly important in the later grades when they’re faced with more complex math tasks. Reduce unintended errors by providing graph paper for student tests or as a background for homework assignments. Use the free printable math grids at Do2Learn.

These are just a few things that may help a student with dysgraphia in the classroom, but primarily it’s important to be creative about accommodations and to communicate with students about their individual needs. When students feel understood and supported in the classroom, the positive social-emotional impact has ripple effects through their whole school experience.

Does your child have a learning disability? Boston Tutoring Services can help. Please click here to see what services we offer.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

The post Students with Dysgraphia: 5 Classroom Tips appeared first on Boston Tutoring Services.

Charlotte’s Web
Wed, April 1, 2026 – Sun, April 26, 2026
Adapted from the beloved novel by E.B. White, this theater production of Charlotte’s Web tells the heartwarming story of friendship, loyalty, and the cycle of life on a family farm.

Bunny Bash Easter Egg Hunt
Sat, April 4, 2026 – Sat, April 4, 2026
Bunny Bash: Egg Hunt, Easter Bunny, Face Painting & Balloon Fun! Bring the whole family and your basket to enjoy a magical morning and a day of springtime joy!

St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Scituate
Sun, April 12, 2026 – Sun, April 12, 2026
Scituate’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade is popular among the South Shore and Cape Cod communities. Over 15,000 people come out annually to view this time-honored tradition.

April Vacation Red Sox Home Games at Fenway
Fri, April 17, 2026 – Fri, April 24, 2026
Hey Red Sox fans! Looking for something fun to do with your kids this school vacation week? What better place to relax and have a great time with the whole family than to spend some time at Fenway Park.

April Vacation Week Fun at Patriot Place
Sat, April 18, 2026 – Sat, April 25, 2026
Patriot Place is your destination for school vacation. Enjoy variety of family-friendly activities, many of which are free and fun for the whole family, including a petting zoo, live music, yard games, giveaways, and more.

April Vacation Discover STEAM Camp at In The Game
Mon, April 20, 2026 – Fri, April 24, 2026
Join us for an entire week of educational programming at In The Game Peabody Learning doesn’t stop when school lets out – we know how to have FUN! Every STEAM session 60 Minutes of UNLIMITED Gameplay!

Free Fixit Clinic Junior (ages 6-12)
Sat, April 25, 2026 – Sat, April 25, 2026
Bring your broken household items to a Fixit Clinic and volunteer coaches will share their tools and knowledge to help you repair them. This special Fixit Clinic Junior is for children ages 6-12 years old.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

The post April Activities in the Boston Area appeared first on Boston Tutoring Services.

1. How can a St. Patrick’s Day challenge assess student understanding? A St. Patrick’s Day challenge works well as both a pre-lesson check and a post-lesson reflection. You can quickly see what students already know about the holiday’s history and traditions, then measure how their understanding grows after instruction.

2. What math skills can students practice with St. Patrick’s Day word problems? Holiday-themed math problems make abstract concepts feel more approachable. The Pot-of-Gold Fractions & Lucky Clover Word Problems activity gives students practice with fractions and multi-step word problems while encouraging them to show their reasoning clearly.

3. Why should students explore myths and facts about St. Patrick’s Day? A myth-versus-fact assignment helps students practice research, informational writing, and source evaluation. Separating common misconceptions from evidence-based facts builds critical thinking while keeping students engaged with a familiar holiday topic.

4. Who were the first Irish immigrants processed at Ellis Island? Discussing Ellis Island is just one way to approach topics of immigration and identity. Students can learn about Annie Moore, a young Irish girl who became the first immigrant processed when the station opened in 1892. They can also explore what that experience may have felt like for these new arrivals to America. Pair the reading with a Formative activity to check comprehension, collect written responses, and guide discussion around immigration, opportunity, and historical context.

5. What can students learn from firsthand accounts of the Irish Potato Famine? Primary source accounts of the Irish Potato Famine help students understand the human impact behind historical events. Reading firsthand descriptions from affected communities encourages empathy while strengthening close reading and analysis skills. Using Formative, students can respond to text-based questions, cite evidence, and demonstrate understanding of cause-and-effect relationships tied to the famine’s consequences.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

The post St. Patrick’s Day Lessons for the Classroom appeared first on Boston Tutoring Services.

1. Revisit old questions. The simplest curiosities arise from old questions that were never fully answered, or that no attempt to answer was made. Of course, any question worth its salt is never ‘fully answered’ any more than a good conversation is ever finished, but as we learn and reflect and grow, old answers can look positively awkward, as they are bound by old knowledge. Strategy to actuate: Revisit old questions—through a journal prompt, Socrative discussion, QFT (Question Formulation Technique), or even a fishbowl discussion. And also revisit the thinking from the first go-round to see what has changed.

2. Model and promote ambition. Ambition precedes curiosity. Without wanting to advance in position, thinking, or design, curiosity is simply a biological and neurological reaction to stimulus. But ambition is what makes us human, and its fraternal twin is curiosity. Learning strategies to actuate: Well thought-out mentoring, peer-to-peer modeling, Project-Based Learning and a genuine ‘need to know.’

3. Play. A learner at play is a signal that there is a comfortable mind focused on a fully-internalized goal. It may or may not be the same goal as those given externally, but play is hypnotic and more efficient than the most well-planned instructional sequence. A learner playing and learning through play, nearly by definition, is curious about something, or otherwise they’re simply manipulating bits and pieces mindlessly. Strategy to actuate: Game-Based Learning and learning games and simulations like Armadillo Run, Civilization VI, Bridge Constructor, and Age of Empires all empower the learner to play. Same with Challenge-Based learning and other forms of learning.

4. The right collaboration at the right time. Seeing what is possible modeled by peers is powerful stuff for learners. Some may not be initially curious about content, but seeing what peers accomplish can be a powerful actuator for curiosity. How did they do this? How might I do what they did in my own way? Which of these ideas I’m seeing are valuable to me—right here, right now–and which are not? Strategy to actuate: Grouping is not necessarily collaboration. To actuate collaboration, and thus curiosity, students must have a genuine need for another resource, idea, perspective, or something else otherwise not immediately available to them. Cause them to need something, not simply to finish an assignment, but to achieve the goal they set for themselves.

5. Use diverse and unpredictable content. Diverse content is likely the most accessible pathway to at least a modicum of curiosity from learners. New projects, new games, new novels, new poets, new things to think about. Strategy to actuate: Invite the learners to understand the need for a resource or bit of content and have them source it. Instant diversity class-wide, and likely divergence from where you were going with it all. At worst you’ve got engaged learners, and a real shot at curiosity.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

The post 5 Learning Strategies to Spark Curiousity appeared first on Boston Tutoring Services.

1. More innovation. As charter schools are free to determine all aspects of their school program and are not tied to district frameworks, they often serve as incubators of innovation. Charter schools can adopt progressive curriculum standards and techniques in order to better engage their students. They can embrace a new type of learning technology or a revolutionary way of teaching a subject. As a result, charter schools have pioneered practices now widely used today. The decision to lengthen the school day and year, to evaluate teacher effectiveness by examining student performance over time, and to reward teachers through referring to performance, all first appeared in charter schools. This best practice sharing has enriched students and public school districts alike.

2. Parental involvement. Charter schools prioritize parental and family involvement. Some schools require parents to sign a contract committing to support their child’s academic success by attending school events and ensuring they are on time and in school every day. This fosters a strong sense of purpose and connection to the schooling experience for both children and their parents. Other schools require or ask parents to volunteer on boards and committees, prioritizing community and shared responsibility for students’ success.

3. More specialization. Charter schools can tailor their lessons and educational plans to their student’s needs. Curricula can be designed and adapted specifically for the students in the building. In order to execute this implementation effectively, the school must rely heavily on its educators. Teachers are empowered to design their own material. Provided with as much creative control as possible, teachers are better able to educate students with varying levels of ability, a process known as differentiated learning.

4. Increased accountability. Accountability is a fundamental part of any charter school’s operations. That’s because the school operates under a contract with an authorizing entity (either a local school board or state agency). The charter (or contract) requires the school to meet specific performance benchmarks and maintain a level of fiscal responsibility. Schools must typically renew their charter every three to five years. If the school fails to meet the conditions outlined in the charter, the organizing agency may require the school to make improvements or even choose to revoke the school’s right to operate.

5. More inclusivity. Many charter schools commit to inclusivity and do not exclude students based on academic ability or disability. The lottery-based admission system ensures fairness among applicants. For students who do need additional support or specialized programs, charter schools are a welcome reprieve from a “one size fits all” approach. These schools strive to create a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all students.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

The post 5 Advantages of Charter Schools appeared first on Boston Tutoring Services.

“I was surprised,” said Paul Morgan, a professor at the University at Albany and a co-author of the study. This latest study, “Fixed Effect Estimates of Teacher-Student Gender Matching During Elementary School,” is a working paper not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal. “I’ve raised two boys, and my assumption would be that having male teachers is beneficial because boys tend to be more rambunctious, more active, a little less easy to direct in academic tasks. We’re not saying gender matching doesn’t work,” Morgan added. “We’re saying we’re not observing it in K through fifth grade.”

Middle and high school students might see more benefits, but earlier research is mixed and inconclusive. A 2007 analysis by Stanford professor Thomas Dee found academic benefits for eighth-grade boys and girls when taught by teachers of their same gender. Studies where researchers observe and interview a small number of students often show how students feel more supported by same-gender teachers. Yet many quantitative studies, like this newest one, have failed to detect measurable benefits for boys. At least 10 since 2014 have found zero or minimal effects.

Among the 1,300 boys who had both male and female teachers, the researchers compared each boy’s performance and behavior across those years. For instance, if Jacob had female teachers in kindergarten, first, second and fifth grades, but male teachers in third and fourth, his average scores and behavior were compared between the teachers of different genders. The researchers found no differences in reading, math, or science achievement, or in behavioral and social measures. Teachers rated students on traits like impulsiveness, cooperation, anxiety, empathy and self-control. The children also took annual executive function tests. The results did not vary by the teacher’s gender.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

The post Male Teachers v. Female Teachers appeared first on Boston Tutoring Services.

Nearly half of men from 18 to 49 — or 22 percent of all Americans — have an active sports betting account, according to the Siena Research Institute. A national poll conducted by Farleigh Dickinson University found that ten percent of men between 18 and 30 may be problem gamblers, a function of the availability of online betting on sports and slot machines. Underage gambling also is on the rise. The largest demographic group calling gambling hotlines are teenagers and young adults in their twenties, and Yale Medicine reports that many troubles begin when players are adolescents. Gamblers who start young are more apt to develop a problem in adulthood. While betting can be another form of entertainment for many, those with a problem have a higher rate of suicide than alcoholics or drug addicts. Further, the Journal of Pediatrics reported that underage gambling is linked to substance abuse.

“If you think your kid isn’t gambling, either he’s an exception or you’re deluding yourself,” Cohen told me. “Your son, if he plays video games or likes sports, is almost certainly gambling in some way,” he added. Some teenagers play games on sites that their parents might not realize involve wagering: Underdog Fantasy, PrizePicks and Sleeper Picks, for example, fall under the category of fantasy sports, and most states permit 18-year-olds to take part. All but a handful of states require that players be at least 21 to place bets on the large online sites like DraftKings and BetMGM, however. Tech savvy and more determined teenagers might also find ways to get around the prominent sites’ age requirements by sneaking their parents’ Social Security numbers and using Apple Pay to fund the habit.

“Most parents have no idea how much their kids are being targeted by predatory gambling,” said Les Bernal, who runs the advocacy group Stop Predatory Gambling. Experts on the gambling industry encourage parents to act, but threats and scare tactics can backfire. Bernal said that kids respond better to information. He advised telling kids that gambling is highly addictive and informing them that the whole scene is a rip-off — the companies see you as an easy mark. Parents need to keep talking about it and making it easier for your child to reveal his problem. And if the teenager discloses a problem at any level, like betting or losing more than intended, treat it as seriously as you would drugs or alcohol addiction.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

The post What Parents Should Know About Teen Gambling appeared first on Boston Tutoring Services.

1. Adopt sustainable habits. We all must do our part in preventing climate change and supporting environmentalism, and there are some simple ways to do this. Teens can follow these tips from Ecobnb, including turning off devices that are not currently in use, putting on a sweater before turning up the heat, and literally growing the future by planting seeds.

2. Start a SEAM club at your school. KMB’s Students for Environmental Action in Massachusetts (SEAM) program provides you with the tools, mentorship, and resources you need to make a measurable impact at your high school and in your community — while also helping you develop leadership skills. Unlike many traditional environmental clubs that focus primarily on discussion or awareness, SEAM clubs are action-oriented. Their student leaders take direct action by organizing real-world community litter cleanups and by leading peer-to-peer environmental education campaigns. SEAM will provide you with everything you need to start a club at your school, including a digital toolkit with agenda templates, flyers, and communication resources, along with cleanup equipment (up to 10 litter grabbers and safety vests).

3. Become a Youth Climate Ambassador. The Hitchcock Center and Climate Stories Project are seeking Massachusetts middle and high school students to record and share their climate stories and interview community members about their personal responses to the changing climate. They are gathering a group of motivated students for their climate storytelling training project. A commitment to the project includes two workshops during January and February and an in-person community visioning session in April. A stipend will be awarded to participating youth at the end of the project. For more information, click here to visit their website.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

The post Teens and Environmentalism appeared first on Boston Tutoring Services.

Chinese New Year Cultural Village & Lion Dance Parade
Sun, March 1, 2026
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with strength, energy and good fortune in Boston’s Chinatown with the annual Chinese New Year Lion Dance Parade in Boston!

Lexington Lantern Festival & Parade
Sun, March 1, 2026
Lexington Lantern Festival returns on Sunday, March 1, 2026, bringing the community together for an afternoon and evening of light, creativity, and connection. Enjoy interactive activities, cultural performances, music and an outdoor lantern parade.

Mad Science at the Castle
Sat, March 7, 2026
It’s alive! That’s right, science comes alive at the Castle as we host the Mad Scientist on March 7th for two fun & interactive programs for young scientists.

St. Patrick’s Day Themed Story Time: Mary McCrary the Irish Dance Fairy
Sat, March 7, 2026
Join us for a festive story time with Irish Step Dancing! Kate Jenness, author of Mary McCrary the Irish Dance Fairy, and dancers from Heavey Quinn Irish Dance are coming back!

Homeschool: Outstanding Orchids (Ages 6-12) at New England Botanic Garden
Fri, March 13, 2026
Join us for a guided exploration through our conservatories to escape the cold weather. Explore our annual orchid exhibition and learn about the variety of amazing adaptations these plants have developed to reproduce and thrive.

Children’s Art Discovery Class: Color Me Curious
Sat, March 14, 2026
Join us for a FREE Children’s Art Discovery Class focusing on the world of color! We’ll see how artists use color in their paintings, then we’ll be making color wheels to take home.

Ashland Library Young Artists Comics Fest
Sat, March 21, 2026
ALYAC Fest is a free festival celebrating kids’ comics! Kids ages 8-18 can sign up to exhibit their comics, or learn from professional cartoonists.

Children’s Art Discovery Class: Shapes of Nature
Sat, March 28, 2026
Join us for a FREE Children’s Art Discovery Class inspired by the colors and shapes of nature in bloom! We’ll create our own collaged flower gardens and seasonal landscapes.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

The post March Activities in the Boston Area appeared first on Boston Tutoring Services.

Additionally, many schools require students to achieve a certain number of service hours. If your teen is looking for  ideas to volunteer, here are even more great places to start.

Literacy and Education

1. East End House. This Cambridge-based community center offers comprehensive services to support the well-being, academic success, and transition to adulthood for under-resourced children and youth. Volunteers can assist with administration, community programs, mentoring, special projects, childcare, or the school-age, middle school, and food programs. No age restrictions were provided. Check the website for more information.

2. Hill House. This community-based center offers programs and services for individuals and families in Boston’s downtown and Beacon Hill neighborhoods. It provides activities, including early childhood, youth development, adult classes, and community events. Volunteers help run athletic programs in the fall, winter, and spring. No age restrictions were provided. Check the website for more information.

Friends of the Elderly

3. Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly (LBFE). This national network is committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among elderly people. LBFE believes in fostering meaningful connections and bringing joy into the lives of their “elder friends” through different programs and activities. The Boston chapter actively encourages intergenerational connections and welcomes teen volunteers. No specific information was provided about volunteer requirements — email info@lbfeboston.org for more information. You can also visit the website.

4. PuzzlesToRemember. This nonprofit organization provides jigsaw puzzles specifically designed for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, distributing them to care facilities, hospitals, and individuals at no cost. If you’re interested in setting up your own PuzzlesToRemember service locally, visit the website for more information or email Puzzles2Remember@gmail.com.

5. South Shore Elder Services. This organization’s mission is to promote and maintain a high level of elder independence through coordinating resources, advocacy, and caregiver support. Volunteers can participate in the Friendly Visitor Program, where they’re matched with homebound seniors. No age restriction was provided. Check the website for more information.

Community Outreach

6. American Red Cross of Massachusetts. This local chapter provides many different services, including disaster relief, preparedness, health & safety, and courses in CPR, first aid, water safety, and more. Each chapter has different opportunities for teens to volunteer. Check the website or email mavolunteers@redcross.org for more information.

7. Boston Cares. As the largest volunteer agency in New England, Boston Cares connects individuals and groups who want to volunteer with nonprofit organizations and schools needing their support. It’s a great first stop for researching volunteer opportunities. You can create an online account on their website. New volunteers are encouraged to attend a New Volunteer Orientation (you pay a one-time $35 fee). The website includes a calendar with various ongoing and one-off projects based on location, impact area, age requirements, and more. There are specific guidelines and waiver requirements for youth volunteers under 18. Visit the website for more information.

8. Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts (HGRM). HGRM’s mission is to provide recycled household goods, free of charge, to families and individuals in need in surrounding communities. The organization’s goal is to help people establish a functional, dignified living environment. Teens ages 14 and up can volunteer on Saturdays, during school breaks, and over the summer to work with clients, sort and prepare items, and more. Visit the website for more information.

9. United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley. The mission of this nonprofit organization is to create positive, lasting change for people in need across the region. They focus on uniting individuals, nonprofits, companies, and government agencies to address critical issues. The organization’s searchable database offers opportunities for teen volunteers to get involved. No age requirements are listed. Visit the website for more information.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

The post More Volunteer Ideas for Teens appeared first on Boston Tutoring Services.

1. Play “Brief the Chief.” Simplify Presidents Day planning by putting students into the shoes of presidential advisors. While playing Brief the Chief, your students will conduct interviews within the White House, helping Presidents Lincoln, Jefferson, and Johnson make decisions on landmark historical events. Should LBJ run for a second term? How might President Lincoln respond to the situation at Ft. Sumter? What can President Jefferson do about the Port of New Orleans? Your students will take on the job of advising the president through historical events and challenges by talking to people in and around the White House. Consult with confidants within the White House and use evidence-based reasoning to provide a presidential briefing. To learn more, click here.

2. Meet the First Presidents. What better place to start than with some of the nation’s very first presidents? Introduce students to the presidents who paved the way for the country. From presiding over the Constitutional Convention to setting the standard for the American presidency, Washington led the way. Jefferson’s political life influenced the country in many ways, from the founding documents to the shape of our nation on the map. Madison advocated for a strong national government, yet fought for the addition of a federal bill of rights, resulting in the blueprint for government that we use to this day.

3. Explore the Role of the President. Teach students how presidents are elected, the president’s responsibilities, and what it takes to run for president.

• Constitution EXPLAINED: Who Chooses the President? Article II of the U.S. Constitution creates the office of the President, determines how they are selected, and states the oath of office.
• Constitution EXPLAINED: The Presidency Changes. Explore how the 20th, 22nd, and 25th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution affected the office of the president.
• For The President, All In A Day’s Work. Students learn the primary responsibilities of the president and how those duties connect to the powers the Constitution grants to the Executive Branch.
• Running for President Infographic. In this printable infographic, your students will see the requirements to run for president, how candidates prepare, and the hurdles they have to overcome to make it to Inauguration Day.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

The post Presidents Day Lessons for the Classroom appeared first on Boston Tutoring Services.

Center for Teen Empowerment Youth Organizing

Teen Empowerment’s Boston Youth Organizing Program operates with a strong presence across two program sites situated in the vibrant Warren Gardens area of Roxbury and the dynamic Howard-Dacia neighborhood of Dorchester. As a dedicated partner to numerous community and municipal organizations, TE Boston collaborates on impactful violence prevention and positive youth development initiatives within the community. Their commitment to fostering trust and understanding between youth and law enforcement has garnered recognition, including the prestigious 2016 Collaborate Boston award from The Boston Foundation, celebrating their outstanding work alongside the Boston Police Department in building relationships founded on trust and mutual respect. They strive to create safer, more inclusive communities where the voices of youth are valued and amplified. Click here to learn more about becoming a youth organizer.

Network for Social Justice Internship Program

Since launching in Summer of 2020, the Network for Social Justice (NFSJ)’s internship program has filled over 70 slots for high school students interested in community organizing and advocacy. NFSJ interns participate in planning one of the NFSJ signature festivals and engage in social justice learning through workshops and projects that connect them to the arts, history, and policy. Click here to learn more about the program.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services

The post Teens Getting Involved in Social Justice appeared first on Boston Tutoring Services.