Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Urbana High School. We appreciate your willingness to support our students and community. Please read the information below. If you have questions or need additional information, contact: Lori Ellinger, loriellinger@usd116.org .
Urbana High School Tutoring FAQs
1. What do I need to do before I begin tutoring?
Before working with students, School District #116 policy requires that all volunteers:
1.) Complete a (free) fingerprint background check,
2.) Attend a volunteer orientation
3.) Fill out a volunteer application
2. How do I get a fingerprint background check?
Free fingerprint background checks are available through the USD #116 office. Call 384-3600 to schedule an appointment.
3. When is orientation?
There are two orientation sessions scheduled for fall semester. Choose one of the following to attend:
Monday, September 9th, 7pm, Room 426, Mumford Hall, U of I campus
Or
Wednesday, October 2nd, 7pm, Room 426, Mumford Hall, U of I campus
4. How will I get a tutoring assignment?
At the end of each of the orientation meetings, listings of teacher-requested tutor positions will be available. Students attending orientation will be able to sign up for slots which fit their schedules. (If you are a Math 199 student, see your instructor about arranging your tutoring assignment.)
5. I tutored last year and have already been fingerprinted and attended orientation. What should I do if I want to tutor again this year?
Thank you for your help last year and thank you for wanting to come back!
You do not need to repeat your fingerprint check or orientation. However, you may need to attend an orientation meeting in order to sign up for a tutoring position. Please email Mrs. Ellinger for more information.
6. I might not be able to attend either of the orientation meetings. How do I sign up for tutoring?
Attendance at an orientation session is mandatory for UHS tutors. If you are unable to attend either session, you can try to schedule a time the following week to have an individual orientation at UHS. This can be tricky as I have only a few hours per week allotted for managing the UHS tutoring program. Also remember that many of the tutoring positions will be filled after the second orientation. If this is your first semester tutoring at UHS, it is strongly recommended that you make arrangements to attend one of the two scheduled orientation sessions.
7. What should I do with my application?
Please bring a hard copy of your completed application to your orientation meeting. If you prefer, you may email your completed application to Mrs. Ellinger at lellinger@usd116.org
8. Will I be able choose the time and the subject I tutor?
You will be able to choose from lists of available tutoring positions. These tutoring positions are created by teacher request. In the past three semesters, there have been many requests for math tutors and multiple subject tutors (study hall, study support, Saturday school), some requests for ESL and foreign language tutors, English tutors and social studies tutors and a few requests for science and assorted other subjects. Most tutoring requests are for tutor support during the school day with some opportunities immediately after school and some on Saturdays.
9. My U of I instructor is working with a UHS faculty member and they will assign me a time to tutor. Do I still need to go through fingerprinting and orientation?
Yes. However you will not need to sign up for tutoring slots unless you would like to volunteer additional tutoring hours.
10.Will I like tutoring at UHS?
We certainly hope so! A survey completed by some of last year’s tutors showed that most tutors had a very good experience at Urbana High School. Tutors felt they benefited from their experiences with a diverse student body and many cited learning a great deal from working with excellent teachers.
Thank you for your interest in supporting our students! I am looking forward to helping you find the tutoring placement that best fits your schedule.
Lori Ellinger, UHS Community Involvement Specialist
lellinger@usd116.org School phone – 384-3505
Tutoring needs:
- Tutors in almost all classroom subject during school hours: math, English, Algebra, Geometry, Chemisty, Physics, Biology, Physical Science, Zoology, Anatomy, Government, Psychology, History, etc.
- Tutors in elective classes: art, mechanics, child development, foods, etc.
- Tutors for ESL and French, Spanish and German classes
- Tutors for study hall/study support/ ALS classes
- Tutors for after school program
- Tutors for Saturday School
- Tutors for afterschool athletic study hall
- Tutors for any band or orchestra instrument
- Tutors for Minority Enrichment Program
- Tutors to support Special Education students
- Volunteers to help with UHS fall musical “ The Wiz” (singing, dancing, scenery, tech, acting)
- Tutors in any subject area who speak Spanish