PROGRAM STARTED TO HELP YOUTHS WITH THEIR STUDIES

If you are around Juanita Spicer, better do your homework.

A retired teacher, Spicer founded the Edward M. Spicer Tutorial Program three years ago to help Cape Girardeau schoolchildren with their homework.

The program is named in memory of Spicer's husband, who died in October 1991. At the time of his death, Spicer was associate to the president at Southeast Missouri State University and served as the school's ombudsman.

His widow started the tutorial program while volunteering at the university's Campus Assistance Center in fall 1992.

All of the volunteers initially were college students. Since then, community residents have pitched in. Last year three women assisted Spicer, including two who had teaching backgrounds.

When the program started, students were tutored at May Greene and Washington schools and at St. James A.M.E. Church.

But the program now is held solely at the church.

"Last year I developed a severe case of arthritis," said Spicer, pointing out that she can't get around like she did before. But Spicer has no intention of shelving the program; it means too much to her.

Entering its fourth year, the program serves primarily students from Washington Elementary School. Most of the participants have been third-, fourth- and fifth-graders.

The church at 516 North Street is only a few blocks from the school.

"Occasionally, we have a high-school student who will call us needing help with algebra or chemistry," Spicer said.

The program starts around mid-September and lasts the whole school year.

Last year about 20 to 25 students met at the church three days a week from 3:30-5:30 p.m. The same schedule likely will be followed this year, Spicer said.

"They have a snack and then they do homework," she explained. "If they don't have any homework, we work with them on areas they need help in, usually reading and math."

Just having a place to do their homework is important. Many of the students don't have a home environment where they can sit down and study, Spicer said.

When the program began, it was all homework and tutoring. But the children wanted to play too, so some time now is spent playing educational games like Scrabble.

"We let them play Monopoly and a few other basic types of games too," Spicer said.

The program operates with a bare minimum of supplies and little money. "All we really needed were some pencil and paper and things."

Last year the program received about $300 from the United Way YELL campaign. The money was used to buy books about African Americans.

The tutoring is provided free of charge to anyone.