Thanks to all who made our first Side by Side Ride on April 27 such a success, including our major sponsors below. Thanks also to Safeway, Shoppers Food Warehouse and Weis Markets for in-kind contributions. We received $4,000 in contributions from the 25 riders and the individual sponsors they recruited!

Side by Side, a faith-based nonprofit organization that works to strengthen public schools in Laurel, Md., offers the following programs:

Family Academy

Side by Side founded the first parent academy in Prince George’s County, called the Family Academy. Families from seven elementary schools are invited monthly during the school year to enjoy a free supper, with parents attending workshops in English and in Spanish and school children participating in enrichment activities. Child care is provided for preschoolers ages 2 to 5.

The seven elementary schools are Bond Mill, Deerfield Run, James H. Harrison, Laurel, Montpelier, Oaklands and Scotchtown Hills. Families from other schools are also welcome to attend. No reservations are needed; just come with your whole family!

For information on the next Family Academy, see the box at the top right of this page. Click here for a schedule of Family Academies for the entire year.

Great Start

Side by Side also offers a Great Start program for parents of kindergarten and prekindergarten students. The program consists of six workshop evenings in the fall at each participating school, with parent sessions in English and Spanish on behavior, reading and math. As with the Family Academy, the evenings include a meal for the entire family and children’s activities.

Click here to learn about the success of the fall 2012 Great Start program – and view the Great Start video at right.

Homework Club and Tutoring

Side by Side has operated an Almost Home after-school homework club for three years at Laurel Park Apartments, partnering with Southern Management Corp. Elementary children from the Laurel Park and Laurelton Court came three days a week to enjoy a snack, receive help on their homework from retired teachers and other adult volunteers, and participate in reading and enrichment activities. The program is in the process of being moved to Laurel Elementary School, but will continue to serve students from those apartment communities.

In addition to homework club, Side by Side partners with a church, New Life Christian Center, in a community tutoring program. On Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., volunteers work with elementary-age children who need extra help with reading and math. Click here for more information on being a volunteer tutor or on being a tutored student.