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02/14/2023 08:35 AMYou could call Peg Farley the “go-to” person when it comes to working with kids in Old Saybrook. Peg, a registered behavior technician, is the director of the Homework Club at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Old Saybrook.
Two years ago, a conversation with a coworker led Peg to the Homework Club at St. Paul. For Peg, working at the club was right up her alley.
Peg has worked in the Old Saybrook school system for almost 20 years and thoroughly enjoys working with children. The homework club was just more of what she loved.
“I already know a lot of the kids from school, and with my kids already grown, it’s a fun extra thing to do,” Peg says.
The after-school ministry at St. Paul Church, and its Homework Club, began in 2002 as an outreach to elementary school-aged children in Old Saybrook.
Peg says the club meets twice a week from October to May and is open to kids in grades 1 through 4.
“It’s basically a place where kids can come and socialize, do their homework, play games, and do different activities,” explains Peg.
The kids get to experience different enriching presentations like music lessons or science experiments, as well as Christmas and end-of-year shows.
The kids can also participle in fun projects. For example, on Feb. 12, St. Paul Lutheran Church hosted a lunch for those in need in New Haven. As part of that event, the church provided 100 bagged lunches which included Valentine’s Day cards made by the kids in the Homework Club.
“The kids were so excited; they really loved making the cards,” Peg says. “It’s really a very enriching experience,” Peg adds.
That excitement is something that Peg truly enjoys about her job.
“The other day, there was a third grader who was helping a first grader with their homework, and the third grader was just so proud of themself. It was great,” Peg says.
“It’s a great group of kids. Just seeing their faces when they get off the bus is the best part for me,” Peg says.
In fact, Peg loves her job so much that she says, “I honestly don’t find any part of it too hard. It’s really rewarding.”
Peg is quick to point out that she doesn’t run the whole club on her own. “I have a group of wonderful mentors that help me. I can’t stress that enough,” says Peg. “We’re also very well cared for at the church; they’re wonderful to us.”
Working with kids is nothing new for Peg. She currently works as a registered behavior technician, where she says she works with special needs kids and kids who need extra hello. Before that, Peg spent many years as a paraprofessional at the Goodwin School.
“I just love kids. I had four myself. They’re just so appreciative of everything,” says Peg.
She says that due to her work in the school, she’s gotten to know a number of the kids at the Homework Club over the years.
“Some of these are kids I’ve known since they were in preschool!” Peg says with a chuckle.
Outside of school, Peg has been involved with Girl Scout troops, teaching CCD, and serving as the treasurer of her neighborhood homeowners association.
“I like to keep busy. They say if you want something done, ask a busy person because then it will get done,” Peg jokes.
Peg grew up in Vernon but now lives in Essex. In her spare time, she can be found spending time with her family, woodworking, knitting, and playing pickleball.
Even though she’s never lived in Old Saybrook, Peg is still quite fond of the community she’s gotten to know there.
“It’s just a great community, and I just love working at the Goodwin school,” Peg sums up.