Seeking Lunchtime Volunteer Readers at Herrington Elementary in Pontiac (Featherstone/Opdyke)

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GIVE STUDENTS MUCH NEEDED ONE ON ONE ATTENTION IN DETROIT

Read to a Child is seeking volunteer readers on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday for its Lunchtime Reading Program at Detroit Leadership Academy. This opportunity is a one on one read aloud session with a at risk student, 30-45 mins once per week from October - May of each school year.

In 2017, the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (MSTEP) revealed that less than 20% of third grade students in the Pontiac Public Schools tested at or above grade level in reading. And despite the hard work of teachers in schools across Metro Detroit, students are still struggling with literacy and are demanding support... That's where you come in. Research shows that reading aloud to children is the single most important activity for eventual success in reading, a key factor for success in school, work, and life. When an adult reads aloud to a child, both parties have a joyful, rewarding experience that instills a love of reading, improves literacy skills, and enhances a child’s self-confidence.

BECOME A READING MENTOR TODAY!

WHAT IS READ TO A CHILD?
Read to a Child is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to foster a love of reading, improve literacy skills and empower underserved children by inspiring adults to read to them regularly.

WHAT IS THE LUNCHTIME READING PROGRAM?
Read to a Child’s flagship lunchtime reading program matches a business professional with a schoolchild for a rewarding, read aloud experience during the child’s lunch break. The program provides a straightforward mechanism for citizens to become engaged in students’ educational outcomes, increasing children’s prospects for becoming healthy, productive members of society.

WHERE IS THE SCHOOLS LOCATED?
Herrington Elementary School 541 Bay Street, Pontiac, MI 48342

WHEN DOES THE PROGRAM TAKE PLACE? WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
The lunchtime reading program at Herrington runs for 30 minutes at the school during the school lunch period, with reading session from 11:50 am - 12:20 pm and 12.25 pm - 12:55 pm. Reading Mentors attend sessions with their student once a week or every other week from now until May 18, 2018 (excluding school holidays and breaks).

HOW ARE THE CHILDREN SELECTED FOR THE PROGRAM?
Teachers select specific students to participate because they are 1) behind their age group in reading proficiency; 2) would benefit from the attention of a caring adult; 3) and/or are not read to at home.

I’VE NEVER BEEN A READING MENTOR. WILL I RECEIVE ANY TRAINING?
Yes. All volunteers will attend an information and training session prior to beginning the program.

I’M REALLY BUSY AND TRAVEL FOR MY JOB. HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?
The lunchtime reading program is designed to be flexible and convenient to allow busy professionals to volunteer as mentors. You can pair up with a colleague to be matched with one student. You can then alternate, attending sessions for 30-45 minutes every other week.

ONCE I JOIN THE PROGRAM, WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE A QUESTION OR CAN’T MAKE IT TO MY SCHEDULED READING SESSION FOR THE WEEK?
The program is well-managed by a School Coordinator staffed at each site who maintains a 24 hour voicemail line. If you have questions, or cannot make it to your reading session you can call the School Coordinator to notify them or reschedule your session for another day that week.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
Complete the following steps:

Volunteer application: https://rtac.secure.force.com/application (select individual reader or appropriate company)
Online Training: training.readtoachild.org
Background Check: Will be emailed upon successful completion of online application

Feel free to contact us at 313.451.3048 or infodetroit@readtoachild.org with questions. To learn more, visit www.readtoachild.org/detroit