Posts by Melissa Phillips

We start virtual tutoring on Sept. 29th. We have work we need you to do before then! Calling ALL of our faithful returning SDRT tutors! We begin our 12th year tutoring at the end of September. We don’t know what this year holds, but we know one thing: we need YOU to come tutor our…

Since we couldn’t have our Annual Field Day and Picnic, we forged a new way. Every year, usually on the hottest Saturday in July, Hope for San Diego teams up with SDRT to put on a huge field day and picnic for our kids and their families on Ibarra Elementary’s gigantic, grassy field. From water balloon tosses…

Look what SDRT came up with to break up the monotony of the Covid season. Is it that special coffee, Thai takeout, a walk on the beach, or a socially distant visit with a friend–or some combination of small treats that are getting you through this isolating time? We are lowering our expectations and getting…

We found a way to deliver treats that last longer than ice cream! The libraries are closed. We are also uncertain of when physical school buildings might finally open. But, we aren’t going to wait. SDRT believes that all kids need print-rich environments at home, which include lots and lots of actual books! From the…

Despite Covid-19, we found a way to celebrate our high school seniors! Even though we couldn’t attend our high school students’ graduation ceremonies in person, TEAM SDRT found a way! We made signs, bought balloons and flowers, and decorated our cars. Hope For San Diego and TEAM SDRT prepared thoughtful gifts for each graduate. We pulled up as a car…

As our heads and hurts hurt for what is going on in our country, the work of SDRT continues… As we fight for educational justice for our students at SDRT, we acknowledge that they deserve so much more and we work tirelessly to bridge these gaps. We have seen so many tutors step up in some really huge ways this past…

Our kids are in need of more support than ever with all the variables involved in distance learning. The Internet isn’t working, and my screen keeps freezing. I don’t know my username or password. This student hasn’t attended any of their Zoom meetings. What time are my teacher’s meetings? I have to wake up by…

SDRT is busy in the community doing our best to meet needs as they arise. This was one student’s enthusiastic response when he laid eyes on the “Family School Supply Box” TEAM SDRT delivered to his porch this week. As it turns out, the kids’ needs are very great when it comes to being successful…

The needs are being met and we couldn’t be more thankful! From rallying friends and neighbors to buy items from our Amazon WishList to sewing masks for our families to visiting distilleries and bottling hand sanitizer, you have come through in the most generous of ways. We have never, ever seen so many packages in…

Even though our tutors cannot show up at SDRT, they are supporting our kids in new, wonderful ways. Those were the words that this student asked at the sight of his new headphones.  He couldn’t believe “the tutors bought them for him to keep!” His siblings were excited too! And, they all found books in…