It was Christmas in April for Mt. Hebron High School, as the school received more than $300 worth of school supplies from Peer2Peer Tutors on April 1.

The tutoring company, which aims to set up student tutors with peers who need academic help, purchased three boxes binders, dividers, highlighters, pens, pencils, index cards and more for the school.

Peer2Peer owner and founder Erik Kimel said he recently read that teachers spend anywhere from $300 to $500 out of their own pockets for their students' school supplies annually, and wanted to help alleviate that load on teachers by donating supplies to the school. Some of the student tutors Kimel employs attend Mt. Hebron.

One of the student tutors, junior Chris Fieldhouse, said the donations were aimed at helping students who can't afford supplies.

"(Peer2Peer) wanted to help some of the underprivileged students," he said.

Mt. Hebron principal Scott Ruehl said the staff was grateful for the mid-year influx of supplies.

Kimel founded Peer2Peer in 2004, his senior year of high school at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, gathering fellow classmates that excelled academically to tutor peers.

He said the program has the potential to create a more powerful connection between the tutor and the tutored.

Added Fieldhouse, "They seem more interested when they're hearing from someone their age rather than just another teacher. It's really helped them excel."

The company now employs about 85 tutors, with pay starting at $12 per hour, Kimel said.

Peer2Peer offers tutoring services in Montgomery and Howard counties in Maryland, and in Fairfax County, Virginia. Kimel said he hopes to expand the area of service. He also would like to donate more supplies to schools and offer free tutoring sessions.

* Howard Preschool is holding an indoor/outdoor yard sale on April 18, from 8 a.m. to noon. All proceeds benefit the preschool. The school is located at 12470 Old Frederick Road, in Marriottsville. For information, call 410-442-2381.

* Wilde Lake High School's Boosters Bull Roast will be held April 24 from 8 p.m. to midnight at Ten Oaks Ballroom, at 5000 Signal Bell Lane, in Clarksville. The event will feature the band One Flight Up with Wilde Lake High's own Charlie Shoemaker. There will also be dancing, games, food and an auction. Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased from the school's front office or Denise Richards at 410-772-0437 or deniserichards@gmail.com.

* Cedar Lane School is holding its 12th consecutive Walk For Our Stars event April 25 at 10 a.m. to raise money for specialized equipment for the school, which serves students with severe disabilities. The event will take place at the Maple Lawn Community Center, in Fulton. For more information, call the school at 410-888-8800.

* Bollman Bridge Elementary School, at 8200 Savage-Guilford Road, in Jessup, will hold a Wellness Fair on April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A 5K Techno Trot Walk/Run will be held at 9 a.m. with registration beginning at 8 a.m. To register online, go to http://bbes.hcpss.org/Techno_Trot_5K.

An American Red Cross Blood Drive will take place during the fair and the Bollman Bridge PTA will host its annual silent auction from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, go to the school's online newsletter at bbes.hcpss.org or call the school at 410-880-5920.

Send school-related items to School Days, Flier/Times, 10750 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, MD 21044. Fax items to 410-997-4564 or e-mail mroshan@patuxent.com.

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