CAT Programs
CAT Sites and Current Programs
There are many levels of involvement available with the CAT Program varying from 30 minutes once a week to 10+ hours per week...how involved you are is up to you!
CAT After-school tutoring at Coquillard Primary Center (83% poverty rate)
The CAT after-school tutoring program is the only sort of after-school tutoring program currently offered at Coquillard. Tutors will meet with the children after school in small groups or one-on-one to work with them on their reading comprehension skills, math skills, help them with their homework, and also serve as mentors. The children that attend this after school program are a mix of third and fourth graders that are all behind in their reading level expectations and truly need that extra one-on-one time and attention to succeed. Right now, our program ratio is 2-3 students per 1 SMC volunteer--ideally, we need the program to be one-on-one to maximize the attention that each child receives.
The program at Coquillard runs Monday-Thursday from 2:20-3:45pm (budget your time to leave SMC at 2pm and return at 4pm). Transportation is available to those who need it and Coquillard is about 15 minutes away from SMC. Coquillard is a primary centers and teaches grades 1-4.
CAT After-school tutoring at Warren Primary Center (68% poverty rate)
The CAT after-school tutoring program is the only sort of after-school tutoring program currently offered at Warren. Tutors will meet with the children after school in small groups or one-on-one to work with them on their reading comprehension skills, math skills, help them with their homework, and also serve as mentors. The children that attend this after school program are a mix of third and fourth graders that are all behind in their reading level expectations and truly need that extra one-on-one time and attention to succeed. Right now, our program ratio is 3-4 students per 1 SMC volunteer--ideally, we need the program to be one-on-one or two-to-one to maximize the attention that each child receives.
The program at Warren runs Monday and Wednesday from 2:20-3:45pm (budget your time to leave SMC at 2pm and return at 4pm). Transportation is available to those who need it and Warren is about 20 minutes away from SMC. Warren is a primary centers and teaches grades 1-4.
CAT After-School @ St. Joseph County Public Library-Downtown
The CAT After-school option at SJCPL is one of the few after-school programs that is accessible to community children, no matter where they live or what school they attend. Children come from many different SBCSC schools and many different backgrounds. Volunteers must attend mandatory trainings before tutoring begins and are highly encouraged to attend on-campus speakers related to the CAT program. There is also a one hour reflection session at the end of each semester.
The program runs Monday-Thursday from 3:30-5:30. All grade levels are eligible for tutoring; however, attendance is primarily 1-6th graders. Transportation is available to those who need it and the SJCPL is about 10 minutes away from SMC.
CAT Life Skills Classroom Assistants @ Warren Primary Center
CAT Life Skills classroom Teacher's Assistants are in classrooms designated to help children born with disabilities. Your responsibilities will vary based on the skill levels of the children in the classroom, but should include one-on-one time with the children and opportunities for group work. A basic understanding of how to work with special needs children is preferred and setting up good communication with your teacher is absolutely necessary. Volunteers must attend mandatory trainings before tutoring begins and are highly encouraged to attend on-campus speakers related to the CAT program. There is also a one hour reflection session at the end of each semester.
The program runs Monday-Friday and you may schedule your time anytime during the school day between 8am-2pm. Transportation is available to those who need it and Warren is about 20 minutes away from SMC. Warren is a primary centers and teaches grades 1-4.
CAT English as a New Language (ENL) Classroom Assistants
@ Warren Primary Center
CAT ENL classroom assistants work specifically in English as a New Language classrooms helping children that are not proficient in English. An understanding of the Spanish language is necessary to participate in these particular classrooms. Your responsibilities in the classroom will vary and good communication with your teacher is absolutely necessary. Volunteers must attend mandatory trainings before tutoring begins and are highly encouraged to attend on-campus speakers related to the CAT program. There is also a one hour reflection session at the end of each semester.
The program runs Monday-Friday and you may schedule your time anytime during the school day between 8am-2pm. Transportation is available to those who need it and Warren is about 20 minutes away from SMC. Warren is a primary centers and teaches grades 1-4.
CAT Teacher's Assistant @ Lincoln Primary Center
CAT Teacher's assistants are in the classrooms helping teachers with various tasks. In the past, TA's have done everything ranging from helping with daily paperwork to becoming an integral part of the teacher's curriculum and starting a Pen Pal program with their old high school. Your responsibilities in the classroom will vary and good communication with your teacher is absolutely necessary. Volunteers must attend mandatory trainings before tutoring begins and are highly encouraged to attend on-campus speakers related to the CAT program. There is also a one hour reflection session at the end of each semester.
The program runs Monday-Friday and you may schedule your time anytime during the school day between 8am-2pm. Transportation is available to those who need it and Lincoln is about 15 minutes away from SMC. Lincoln is a primary centers and teaches grades 1-4.
Read to a Child @ a CAT Partner School
The read to a child program pairs one child with one volunteer for an entire semester or year. You meet with your child once a week for 30 minutes at their school and read a book with them.
The program runs Monday-Friday and you may schedule your time anytime during the school day between 8am-1:30pm.
Pen Pal Program
The Pen Pal Program is a unique and innovative way of mentoring a child. Each week you will exchange letters with your pen pal. You will also have the opportunity to meet with other SMC Pen Pals in weekly discussion sessions (30-45 minutes) to discuss what social skills your pen pals were learning that week so you will have the chance to share more about yourself. You will meet your pen pal at the end of the spring semester when she comes to SMC for Pen Pals Day on Campus on study day (when you will not be in class).
