Volunteer writing tutors needed at Gocio Elementary

Training sessions set for Jan. 10 and 12

Volunteer tutor Sarah Kiger helps Ashton Elementary student Patrick Faucher with his reading and writing skills in November 2016. Photo courtesy Sarasota County Schools

Volunteer tutors are needed for a five-week writing program for fourth-graders who will be starting school this month at Gocio Elementary School in Sarasota, the Sarasota County School District has announced.

No formal teaching or tutoring experience is required; “just an interest in helping students and a passion for language arts,” a news release says.

Two training sessions will be held the second week of January at the school, which is located at 3450 Gocio Road. Volunteers must attend both sessions to participate in the tutoring, the release stresses. The first training session is set from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10. The second session is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12. Snacks will be provided, the release notes.

“Volunteers will be trained to guide students on the path to success on the Florida Standards Assessment in March,” the release explains. The program focuses on encouraging students to use evidence to support claims in their writing, “an invaluable skill that will serve them for years to come,” the release points out. Volunteers will work with two students for 30 minutes each, totaling one hour of tutoring per week, the release says.

For more information about the Gocio Elementary writing program or to register for the training sessions, contact the Sarasota County Schools Volunteer and Partnership Office at -544-1661, or by e-mail at volunteerspartners@sarasotacountyschools.net.