DoDDS gives opportunity to mentor, tutor on-base students

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stacy Sanchez
  • 48 Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  After work, do you find yourself with some spare time? Why not make use of that time to help a school student out with some class room homework or to be a friend to a youngster who just needs someone to talk to. 

RAF Lakenheath High School is currently seeking mentors and tutors to help students with school studies as well as boosting morale on campus. 

"It is very important right now for us to have this kind of volunteer support in our schools, especially during times of deployments," said Kent Worford, LHS principal. "Inside a school, we are like an extended family, so it is nice for our kids to see and meet new people who are not a part of the school." 

Mr. Worford says that the tutoring program at the high school, which is held Monday and Thursday after school, gives students an opportunity to get help in classes such as math, science and foreign languages. 

If a volunteer is more interested in other school activities such as music, drama or ROTC, the high school is more than happy to place a volunteer is those areas as well, Mr. Worford said. 

"DoDDS want to maintain the relationship with the community," he said. "This is why we encourage everyone, no matter what their expertise is in, to come and to participate with the schools." 

Mr. Worford said all he requests from volunteers is time. 

"When a volunteer comes out to help with a school project such as a play, they tend to establish themselves here, so kids start to look to see if they are going to come back again," he said. 

For volunteer mentors, their main objective is to be there for a student when that student needs someone to talk to. 

"Volunteers can make certain connections with the students," Mr. Worford said. "Sometimes I know the students like to hear things from someone who in not necessarily associated with the school." 

For those interested in volunteering, the only mandatory requirement is that each individual be given a background check. 

"This requirement is DoDDS-wide," he said. "When you work with students, no matter the age, there are certain requirements that need to take place before volunteers can work with them." 

To volunteer at Lakenheath High School, call 226-3115.