Last month, I heard of an interesting opportunity. It's a program called HAPP, or the Homework Assistance Peer-tutoring Program, which enables students at Rochester Public Schools to tutor students who are learning English as a second language. I got an application, filled it out, and turned it in. Much to my delight, I was accepted into the program and went to my first session Oct. 6.

The program, which runs from 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, is soundly designed. A teacher, carrying the role of facilitator, is also present, supervising the session, making sure everyone is on task and, if need be, helping with problems that the tutors can't.

After a small snack, we get to work. As there are usually more tutees than tutors, I am busy until 4:45 p.m. rolls around and we pack up, turn off the computers and head home.

One of the great things about this program is that it benefits everyone. The program doesn't break the bank -- the tutors, as students, can work at a lower price than teachers. In addition to the pay, my fellow tutors and I get a pad on our college applications.

Also, the tutees come to the program for help, instead of mandatory attendance. This works to bring in students who want to get help with homework, instead of those who really don't want or need help.

The tutees, naturally, get help with their homework. They also get more practice speaking English with us, as many of them go home to non-English speaking parents.

Another benefit is I wouldn't know many of the tutees without this program. Both the tutors and the tutees get the immeasurable benefit of being able to meet new people and learn about each other, their families and their cultures. In fact, part of HAPP includes 10 minutes of tutor-tutee discussion about a designated topic. That topic may be on anything from native cultures to family life. The prompt is usually almost a script, but it opens the way to further discussion.

HAPP is funded through a federal grant, and with that comes a couple of conditions, although they are not unreasonable at all.

The 10-minute discussion is required by the grant, for one. Also, the tutees must inform the facilitator what they intend to work on for that session. Again, it's pretty logical -- finding out what the tutees need help with lets you know exactly where more focus needs to be applied.

This is actually the last year of the HAPP grant. However, the grant can be renewed, and I truly hope it will be.

Sam May is a junior at John Marshall High School. To respond to an opinion column, send an e-mail to life@postbulletin.com.

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