Western-Star.com

LEBANON — Parents would like to think they have forgotten more then their children have learned, but two Lebanon Junior High School math teachers are trying to help them remember their own studies so they can help their students with homework.

Laura Bailey and Jim Watts spend one hour every Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. teaching parents the same material that will be taught to their kids.

"We feel this is a very important program for our students," Watts said. "This class is teaching the parents the same things we're teaching in our classrooms."

Parents start off with a problem of the day to familiarize themselves with the topic. Watts and Bailey work with the parents to make sure they understand the material so they can help their kids.

Bailey said the program is beneficial for students, who are also invited to attend the sessions with their parents, because they can receive extra help while seeing that their parents want to learn. Kids also get a kick out of seeing their parents do homework.

The "math nights" began last week, but Bailey said she was pleasantly surprised that about 80 parents showed up.

A $1,500 grant from the United Way of Warren County covers the teachers' pay and enabled the junior high school to start offering the help. The school needs a sponsor to continue math nights throughout the school year, Bailey said.

For more information, contact Principal Ian Frank at 934-5300.