TUTORS HELP KIDS MAKE GRADE.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

NEWHALL - In a library setting on the second floor of the Santa Clarita Community Services Center - above a food bank, a Salvation Army office and a myriad of other county social services - you might hear some giggling in the afternoons.

About 30 local college students - 20 students from College of the Canyons and 10 from The Master's College in Newhall - work as tutors with children at the center, offering free services for kids who need some extra help.

``I like to help out the kids,'' said Isabel Pleites, 18, a student at College of the Canyons, as she was surrounded by eager young readers. ``Every day we have new students. When they need help and we're able to help them understand something, I love the joy of seeing them get it.''

From 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the students spend time with children looking for help with their homework. These volunteers specialize in a variety of subjects - math, science, social studies - and sometimes they find themselves tutoring parents as well.

The program is a component of a Spanish-language class taught by Claudia Acosta at College of the Canyons that gives students the opportunity to learn much more than textbooks could ever cover.

``Most of the students are bilingual and this program gives them a practicum of both languages,'' Acosta said. ``Some of the young students are recent arrivals and may still be struggling with the language.''

Acosta has 20 students who go through the program every semester; students are required to spend a total of 20 hours tutoring, but many stay longer once they start working with the children. Several have formed bonds with their young charges, staying close to help in problem areas.

``One of the students was having trouble with decimals and his tutor worked with him until he got it,'' Acosta said.

They also write in journals about their experiences as part of the class requirement; they are invited to share their thoughts about the experience.

``On a typical day, we have four tutors and eight or nine little ones,'' Acosta said. ``Of course, the ideal ratio is one on one.''

Lupe Lopez runs the center and helped Acosta organize the tutoring program, called the Successful Kids Homework Club.

``We noticed some of the children were falling behind in their homework and realized that some of the parents were monolingual and couldn't give them help with their homework,'' Lopez said. ``The tutors help them understand the lessons and help the parents at the same time.''

Lopez showed a visitor the file cabinets filled with student profiles, highlighting each child's strengths and needs, to help the college students target their teaching efforts.

Acosta is also the adviser for the campus group Organization of Latin American Students, which helps the tutoring program with supplies.

``They are always looking for donations of school materials for second-, third- and fourth-graders,'' Acosta said. ``Especially math workbooks and flash cards. They will buy used textbooks for math and reading so that the tutors can give the children something to work with when they leave here.''

Anyone wishing to donate school supplies to the program should call Lopez at [phone].

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Isabel Pleites, 18, helps David Diaz, 8, with his homework at the Santa Clarita Service Center.

(2) Christina Talavera, 18, reads to a pair of children at the center, where college students tutor each weekday.

(3) College of the Canyons student Isabel Pleites, a volunteer, goes over a school assignment with some kids seeking help at the center.

David Crane/Staff Photographer