Demand for the Jack Parent Reading Program at Mountain elementary schools remains strong.
“We’ve had a couple more (requests from schools for tutors), but that takes more time and more resources,” said Deban Brunette, director of educational programs at Neighbour to Neighbour Centre, who noted more than 100 volunteer tutors will return to 14 Mountain schools starting Oct. 15.
The public schools taking part in the program are: R.A. Riddell (where the program began), G.L Armstrong, Westwood, Chedoke, Helen Detwiler, C.B. Stirling, Richard Beasley, Huntington Park, Highview and Lincoln Alexander.
Participating Catholic schools are: St. Michael, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Margaret Mary and St. Marguerite d’Youville.
Since it began, the program has helped some 2,800 children who had been struggling improve their reading and comprehension skills.
Last year, 94 per cent of the children who received help showed improvement through the year.
Brunette said they need 25 more volunteer tutors as the program is slated to begin its 16th school year.
“People who love kids and who love reading, that’s what we need,” Brunette said.
All volunteers must provide a vulnerable sector police check and undergo six hours of training before they can go into the schools.
Brunette noted the veteran tutors meet with the children first and the new tutors are mentored into the schools.
“Even if you are not available until November, we can still get you into the program,” Brunette said.
Tutors must be able to spend two hours a week with the program.
Each school will choose 16 students in Grades 1-4 who are struggling with their reading and comprehension skills and they will get one-one help from a tutor for 20 minutes twice a week for the remainder of the school year.
Brunette said helping children in Grade 4 is new this year following a pilot project at St. Michael School last year.
She said the public and Catholic school boards are pouring more resources into helping Grade 1 students so they can focus more on the other grades.
She said by Grade 4, reading becomes more about understanding English than just being able to read words.
“We’re past decoding words,” Brunette said.
Also going forward more sustained funding is needed to maintain and even add more schools to the free program.
“We’d love to add another school next year,” said Brunette, who noted the training, supplies and support costs run about $7,500 per school.
Anyone wishing to volunteer for or make a donation to the Jack Parent Reading Program can contact Brunette at tutor@n2ncentre.com
Demand for the Jack Parent Reading Program at Mountain elementary schools remains strong.
“We’ve had a couple more (requests from schools for tutors), but that takes more time and more resources,” said Deban Brunette, director of educational programs at Neighbour to Neighbour Centre, who noted more than 100 volunteer tutors will return to 14 Mountain schools starting Oct. 15.
The public schools taking part in the program are: R.A. Riddell (where the program began), G.L Armstrong, Westwood, Chedoke, Helen Detwiler, C.B. Stirling, Richard Beasley, Huntington Park, Highview and Lincoln Alexander.
Participating Catholic schools are: St. Michael, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Margaret Mary and St. Marguerite d’Youville.
Since it began, the program has helped some 2,800 children who had been struggling improve their reading and comprehension skills.
Last year, 94 per cent of the children who received help showed improvement through the year.
Brunette said they need 25 more volunteer tutors as the program is slated to begin its 16th school year.
“People who love kids and who love reading, that’s what we need,” Brunette said.
All volunteers must provide a vulnerable sector police check and undergo six hours of training before they can go into the schools.
Brunette noted the veteran tutors meet with the children first and the new tutors are mentored into the schools.
“Even if you are not available until November, we can still get you into the program,” Brunette said.
Tutors must be able to spend two hours a week with the program.
Each school will choose 16 students in Grades 1-4 who are struggling with their reading and comprehension skills and they will get one-one help from a tutor for 20 minutes twice a week for the remainder of the school year.
Brunette said helping children in Grade 4 is new this year following a pilot project at St. Michael School last year.
She said the public and Catholic school boards are pouring more resources into helping Grade 1 students so they can focus more on the other grades.
She said by Grade 4, reading becomes more about understanding English than just being able to read words.
“We’re past decoding words,” Brunette said.
Also going forward more sustained funding is needed to maintain and even add more schools to the free program.
“We’d love to add another school next year,” said Brunette, who noted the training, supplies and support costs run about $7,500 per school.
Anyone wishing to volunteer for or make a donation to the Jack Parent Reading Program can contact Brunette at tutor@n2ncentre.com
Demand for the Jack Parent Reading Program at Mountain elementary schools remains strong.
“We’ve had a couple more (requests from schools for tutors), but that takes more time and more resources,” said Deban Brunette, director of educational programs at Neighbour to Neighbour Centre, who noted more than 100 volunteer tutors will return to 14 Mountain schools starting Oct. 15.
The public schools taking part in the program are: R.A. Riddell (where the program began), G.L Armstrong, Westwood, Chedoke, Helen Detwiler, C.B. Stirling, Richard Beasley, Huntington Park, Highview and Lincoln Alexander.
Participating Catholic schools are: St. Michael, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Margaret Mary and St. Marguerite d’Youville.
Since it began, the program has helped some 2,800 children who had been struggling improve their reading and comprehension skills.
Last year, 94 per cent of the children who received help showed improvement through the year.
Brunette said they need 25 more volunteer tutors as the program is slated to begin its 16th school year.
“People who love kids and who love reading, that’s what we need,” Brunette said.
All volunteers must provide a vulnerable sector police check and undergo six hours of training before they can go into the schools.
Brunette noted the veteran tutors meet with the children first and the new tutors are mentored into the schools.
“Even if you are not available until November, we can still get you into the program,” Brunette said.
Tutors must be able to spend two hours a week with the program.
Each school will choose 16 students in Grades 1-4 who are struggling with their reading and comprehension skills and they will get one-one help from a tutor for 20 minutes twice a week for the remainder of the school year.
Brunette said helping children in Grade 4 is new this year following a pilot project at St. Michael School last year.
She said the public and Catholic school boards are pouring more resources into helping Grade 1 students so they can focus more on the other grades.
She said by Grade 4, reading becomes more about understanding English than just being able to read words.
“We’re past decoding words,” Brunette said.
Also going forward more sustained funding is needed to maintain and even add more schools to the free program.
“We’d love to add another school next year,” said Brunette, who noted the training, supplies and support costs run about $7,500 per school.
Anyone wishing to volunteer for or make a donation to the Jack Parent Reading Program can contact Brunette at tutor@n2ncentre.com