COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TUTORING INITIATIVES FROM VOGEL PREP
April 6, 2020
Being a student in today’s world was challenging before the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, these challenges have increased by an order of magnitude. Our young adults not only live in fear of contracting, infecting or losing others with COVID-19, but are also now expected to immediately adjust to an entirely new virtual learning experience as all schools bring their classes online. Many students are struggling with this change, particularly since the normal teaching methods are typically not effective in this new, virtual environment. Parents and teachers are also having to adjust to this new world.
In response to this need for academic support in the Phoenix area during this crisis, Vogel Prep will be launching three weekly online group programs or sessions FREE of charge as follows. Students may join these programs regardless of whether they are Vogel Prep clients but must fill out the registration form below. So, feel free to share with your friends. All these programs can improve the skills of our students for long term, while keeping test prep students’ skills sharp.
Free – Live on-line question and answers sessions or tutoring sessions for Algebra II – taught by one of our Tutors, Dr. Brent Travis. Sessions will be every Thursday night during the month of April, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, staring April 9th and continuing after April depending on the situation at the end of the month. We will use the Zoom virtual conference software for the sessions. Students are welcome to log on and log off during the session as desired. But registration is required to receive instructions of how to log in.
Free – Personalized Vocabulary on-line initiative. Vocabulary is an important trait of successful leaders, but one that is difficult to teach, because students and teachers do not have the time. Here is an option that we can make available to students. At no charge, students will be able to use the MemBean app free of charge until the end of June if they register. We will create groups depending on the grade level. In addition, there will be a special group that will focus on test prep vocabulary for those students that are preparing for SAT or ACT. Please indicate that you are in test prep mode in your registration if that is your intent. Ideally, a student should commit to spending 3 sessions per week (15 minutes each time) practicing with the program and they will receive a rating grade for accuracy and attendance every week. They will be able to do this from their phones, tablets or PCs at any time of the day or night that fits their schedule, rhythm and pace. We do have a limited number of seats so this will be done on a first come first serve basis. We firmly believe that all test prep users could improve their Reading scores by strengthening their vocabulary. But we know that all students do not want to just work on index cards, therefore, we partnered with this company to offer your student a fun and relaxed experience that will serve them for life.
Free – Live on-line tutoring sessions for Grammar Review – taught by one of our English experts, Mr. Tucker Dunn. There will be five-2-hour sessions on Tuesdays (4 pm – 6pm) starting April 14th and finishing on May 12th. The Review has limited number of seats and it is Free of charge but students must purchase the following book before the first session: SAT and ACT Grammar Book from Barron’s, ISBN-13: 978-1438008738 or ISBN-10: 1438008732, found at Amazon for about $12. We will use the Zoom virtual conference software for all sessions. This class should be taken seriously as that would be the only way to improve your grammar skills. Registration is required to receive instructions of how to log in but you will also need to have a copy of the book mentioned above.
COVID-19 will wound our nation with lasting effects that will very likely extend many years. But this worldwide crisis also provides an opportunity to unite our community. Vogel Prep is proud to provide these program initiatives as our contribution to achieving this goal.
To summarize our complimentary programs or tutoring session, details are as follows:
Algebra II – online live Question and Answer Sessions – Thursdays 6:30 – 8:30 pm – starts 4/9 and ends 4/30. Can be expanded depending on circumstances and demand.
Vocabulary Personalized Plan – 3 times a week (15 minutes each time) on your schedule. Will be available April – June.
Grammar Review – 10- hour program – five–2-hour sessions – Tuesdays 4 pm – 6 pm – starts 4/14 and ends 5/12.
Sign up for one or all three here.
If this first round of free sessions goes well, we may consider adding others depending on resources. If you have a special need or challenge and have a group of students that can access the internet through Zoom, let us know and we will try to see if we can help.
Together we will make it through this time with shared grace, courage, and a deepened sense of humanity. Feel free to share with your friends, associates or other family members. We are all in this challenge together.
OUR STUDENTS’ HEALTH AND SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY
March 24, 2020
Vogel Prep is following the Coronavirus situation with our priority on the health and well-being of our students, staff and community. We are closely monitoring local schools and local governments to make appropriate decisions and further communications. Contingency plans are in place for remote classes and sessions if the situation in our families, schools and community evolves.
Meanwhile, you can help by following informational websites such as the following:
We urge all students and staff to take all appropriate hygienic precautions advised by the CDC. When at Vogel Prep, we require that all students and staff use the sanitizers in the lobby upon entrance and then frequently use of the hand sanitizers located in every room; to thoroughly wash hands frequently; to avoid shaking hands, and to sneeze or cough into “elbows”. We also require at least 3 feet separation between people during sessions here at our center. We wipe down and sanitize the tables, chairs and common surfaces every day and sometimes even more frequently after group sessions.
If your student is planning on taking an official SAT, AP, IB or ACT test, you should go to the websites listed above before the test date to see if any of their testing locations in Arizona are changed or closed for testing on those dates. Some SAT test sites in Arizona were closed for the March 14 test date on the evening of the test.
Vogel Prep is following a cautious approach of health safety, with contingency online alternative solutions, if necessary, to help your students be as prepared as possible for ACT and SAT tests, finals and AP tests.
While we believe that face-to-face meetings between the tutors and students is most effective, we currently are capable of virtual private or semi-private tutoring using ZOOM networking. If you do not feel comfortable tutoring in our center, please notify us as soon as possible so that we can coordinate an online session for your student.
Please do not come to the center if you or any family members are exhibiting any signs of illness. While the Coronavirus often presents as just a fever or cough, we prefer not to take any chances, so please stay home if you have reason to think you are sick or have been exposed to anyone with the virus. Students, clients and family members exhibiting signs of illness will politely be asked to leave. Sessions will not be charged and a remote make up session will be rescheduled on-line during the month of March or until the situation normalizes.
Most of all, we ask that you be safe, informed, and communicative through the weeks ahead. You also need to think about protecting family members that might fit in the be most vulnerable categories. We know this is not an ideal time for our students to be facing this novel and disturbing set of circumstances, but we promise to help you work through it with flexibility and teamwork. Our team is ready to help students that are continuing their studies, preparing for tests or just want to get ahead in their studies. Just let us know your needs at info@vogelprep.com.
Thank you for your continued trust in our services over the last 12 years and your increased vigilance as we face this together. Please reach out to us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions.
