A new tutoring center supervised by science teacher Matt Welander opened in the library on Sept. 5. in an attempt to alleviate stress by helping students with their school work.

The center is staffed by volunteer student tutors and is open during tutorial, lunch, seventh period block days and after school.

Welander agreed to manage the tutoring center last spring, hoping that students would be comfortable seeking help from peers in a quieter place to study.

“The initial push for a tutoring center came from community members who brought the idea to the school board,” Welander said. “There have been after-school tutoring programs at SHS before, though they weren't as successful as people had hoped.”

Although it was initially hard to draw attention to the new tutoring center, Welander said students started to gain more interest once they started having tests in the second or third week of school. Lately 30 students have been using the center to get help, with the most requested subject being math.

Welander said that the center also has tutors in subjects like math, science, Spanish and Chinese, but are still in need of tutors in upper-level English classes and AP Chemistry.

Welander hopes to find more tutors who are genuinely passionate about helping others rather than those who simply tutor to receive volunteer hours.

In an effort to increase attendance, students can eat in the tutoring room, unlike the rest of the library.

The tutoring room — the glass walled room inside the library — was remodeled over the summer, and now features bright red bean bag chairs and clean white desks.

“I had a really productive time at the center,” said sophomore Samyu Iyer, who was tutored in Chemistry Honors. “It’s a really good place to do homework and receive help.”

Welander hopes that after some time with the new program, the tutoring center will become an essential part of student life and culture.

“Our main goal can be summarized in two words: supporting students,” Welander said. “We want to do that by connecting them with tutors, providing a friendly environment to work in and any other assistance we can provide that will help students succeed.”