How can students maximize school resources? Ninth grade counselor Natalie Golberg answered key questions about student support for incoming freshmen.

Zephryus: How can students schedule teacher office hours?

Natalie Golberg: Every teacher in the building has office hours; most teachers typically have three sessions per week. Most teachers usually post their hours on their door, the classroom, or Schoology. There is a document available that has every teacher’s office hours listed. Counselors have office hours as well; students can just drop in from 11:45 to 12:15 at student services.

Z.: Are there in-school tutoring options?

N.G.: Yes! We have peer tutoring available to our students every day, first through seventh hour. The tutor center is on the third floor, tucked between the Commons and Media Center. We have junior and senior students there that can help with a wide range of subjects.

Z.: How can students access tutoring?

N.G.: Students will need a pass to go, and if they have a prep hour, that would be most ideal.

Z.: How can students access a tutor outside of school?

N.G.: For students who live in Hennepin County, if you have a library card, Hennepin County libraries have in-person tutoring generally once a week, but also they have virtual tutoring there every day: 1:00–11:00 p.m.

Z.: What problems can counselors solve for students?

N.G.: Counselors do all kinds of things; we work with students on schedules. We do post-secondary planning. We help with goal setting. We can help students if they are having difficulty in the classroom, social-emotional needs, maybe something going on at home, or difficulty with a classmate.

Z.: Are there any non-tutoring student support resources at EHS?

N.G.: We do have Hornet Mentors that are going into freshmen advisories throughout the school year. So having those older students come in would be a good way to get questions if they just kind of have general questions like, “What’s homecoming? How do I get a locker?” That kind of stuff, just general resources. Hornet Mentors are great for that.

Z.: Are the Hornet mentors students?

N.G.: Yes, they are senior students, and they’ve gone through mentor training.