Program to run from June 13 through July 21 at three elementary schools
Volunteer reading tutors are needed for the Sarasota County School District’s Summer Reading Camp, the district has announced.
The camp will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. June 13 through July 21 at three elementary schools — Brentwood and Gulf Gate in Sarasota, and Lamarque in North Port, a news release says. No classes will be held the week of July 4, it adds.
“Summer Reading Camp is for third-graders who have not reached grade-level reading proficiency,” the release explains. “Tutors will work one-on-one with the same three students each week; a commitment of at least 90 minutes a week (30 minutes with each of the three students) is preferred,” the release continues. “No experience is necessary; just a love of reading and children,” the release says. Free training is provided.
“It is absolutely essential that we do everything we can to provide learning opportunities that will make a difference for our most struggling readers,” said Laura Kingsley, the district’s executive director of elementary education, in the release. “Helping them ‘learn to read’ will allow them to keep up with their peers who are able to ‘read to learn,’ and may well mean the difference between them having to repeat third grade or moving ahead with their classmates,” she added in the release. This is a game-changer for these children.”
Suzanne Naiman, the district’s reading and language arts curriculum specialist, calls Reading Camp “an instructionally rigorous, yet enjoyable program. The entire day revolves around the Florida Standards, which include reading, writing, speaking and listening; and using language to communicate interesting themes, such as inventors and their inventions, space exploration and sea life, to name a few,” she noted in the release.
“We value our volunteers who dedicate part of their summer to helping children who may otherwise feel defeated in their attempts to read on grade level,” Kingsley added in the release. “Our goal is for every one of these 200 students to know that the community supports them by matching each child with a caring, encouraging volunteer.”
For more information and to register for the training, contact the district’s Volunteer & Partnership Office at 927-9000, Ext. 31500, or volunteerspartners@sarasotacountyschools.net.