Industry and the school district have collaborated to make possible a new literacy program.
Thanks to the sponsorship of Valid Manufacturing, and in collaboration with School District No. 83, the Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap will introduce a new after-school reading program in four Salmon Arm schools.
“Valid Manufacturing has been a longtime supporter of community literacy and LASS, so we were delighted when general manager Ed Sims expressed a desire to increase that support by sponsoring a new program,” says Darcy Calkins, LASS literacy outreach co-ordinator North Okanagan-Shuswap. “Ed recalled his personal experience in elementary school when a teacher’s mentoring had a significant and positive impact on his academic direction and felt this age group would be a good one to focus on.”
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The goal of the Valid Reading After School Program is to provide intensive reading and foundational skills support to struggling students in grades 3 to 5.
Twelve students will be selected, by teachers, from each school participating in the program.
“This means Valid Manufacturing’s sponsorship will directly support 48 students in Salmon Arm,” says Calkins.
The program will take place twice a week from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Salmon Arm West, South Broadview, Hillcrest and Bastion elementary schools. A qualified teacher, certified education assistant (CEA) and one or two trained volunteers will be part of the team supporting participating students.
“As the program becomes established, we hope to see it grow to include more schools and communities in the region,” Calkins says.
The Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society (LASS) is a non-profit organization that promotes literacy in the North Okanagan-Shuswap area through awareness, collaborative partnerships, and education in order to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and the community.
For more information, contact Darcy Calkins at 250-463-4555, email admin@shuswapliteracy.ca or go online to shuswapliteracy.ca.
@SalmonArm
barb.brouwer@saobserver.net
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