Jefferson Reading Program Benefits Kids, Volunteers
Posted
Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE - A program to help Jefferson Elementary students improve their reading skills got started again after a year off.
"Hand in Hand Together We Can" got its start in 1998 and is run by Jefferson's librarian, Mona Steiner.
Once a week, volunteers meet up with a child they are assigned to and for 45 minutes they work on reading or homework during lunch. Sometimes they play learning games and just talk.
But the main focus of the program is to give kids who need a little extra work on their reading skills some one-on-one help.
The program runs from October to the school's spring break.
Teachers at Jefferson compile a list of at least three kids in their classes who need to spend a little extra time reading.
Currently there are 60 kids in first through sixth grade who have been identified.
As Steiner told one child Monday, "This is a way for you to get some help. And we're doing this because we care about you."
So for 45 minutes, once a week, a volunteer and child bond over reading.
There are no requirements for the volunteer or "reader" as they are called other than a willingness to help. Steiner said it's open to people young and old.
Readers sign a code of conduct sheet and are given a rundown of rules and how the program works.
During the first week for a new reader, he or she is given a cheatsheet of questions to ask the student as a way to get to know them.
Since the program starts with kids in first grade, the same reader and student can spend up to five years together.
"It's important to the volunteers," said Steiner. "But sometimes I don't think they realize how important it is to the students. Sometimes these kids just want someone to talk to or for someone to listen."
One thing about the program is that the kids involved don't fit into any category.
Some come from two-parent homes, some don't. Some are being raised by grandparents or aunts and uncles.
Some do quite well in school besides reading while others may struggle all around.
And, according to Steiner, many are quite bright but for whatever reason it hasn't clicked for them yet.
Several of the volunteers have been with the program since its inception. That's the case for Kathy and Clay Kreicker. They, along with Kathy's sister, Linda Kirkendall, and her husband, Randy, continue to volunteer.
And it has continued into a next generation as both families' children, former Jefferson Elementary students, are volunteering as well.
"The kids get good input out of it. It's a productive way for them to learn and it doesn't hurt (the volunteers) any," said Clay Kreicker.
"There are all these great kids," said Kathy Kreicker. "But they just need some extra help. And you spend this time with them and really develop a relationship with them."
They both said they have seen several instances where the last reading session for a sixth-grade student and his or her reader can be very emotional.
And while volunteers continue to come back and the program is buoyed by service organizations and Grace College students, there is still a great need for readers.
Steiner said that while there are 60 kids in line for additional reading help, the program only has 30 readers as of this week.Steiner said that the small effort of 45 minutes a week by a volunteer is extremely valuable.
"The smiles on those kids' face when they see their reader walk in is worth a million bucks," said Steiner.
For more information on how to become part of the reading program at Jefferson, call 574-267-7361
