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Red Deer Public Schools literacy program hits 10-year milestone

Reading College is on at RDP this month
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Teacher Janna Armstrong helps boost the literacy of Red Deer public school students before they hit Grade 3 in this file photo from the Advocate.

Red Deer Public School students are getting a foot-up on literary learning through Reading College.

The program that improves writing and learning skills for Grade 2 students has reached a milestone 10th anniversary.

Sixty-four students from across Red Deer Public Schools are being mentored at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre at Red Deer Polytechnic this week. For the month, they will be immersed in a literary environment, while being supported by teachers and recent graduate teachers of Red Deer College.

Students found to be needing help with reading and writing at the end of Grade 2 are selected for the program because third-grade reading levels are considered one of the best predictors of high school graduation, said Sue Carmichael, program coordinator of Reading College.

“Reading College helps struggling readers become readers of potential. (It) inspires kids to read and write to ensure they are ready and excited to enter Grade 3.”

Significant improvement can be seen over 20 days, said Bruce Buruma, executive director for the Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools. “All the programs the foundation supports creates life chances for students. Reading College gives these students foundational skills that will help them be more successful in school.”

Reading College, which provides activities to enhance students’ excitement about reading and writing, gets financial support from many community partners including from the Central Alberta Optimist Clubs and Tim Hortons through their Smile Cookie Campaign.

“We believe (it’s) one of the best projects our club has undertaken in the City of Red Deer,” said Glenn Turple, a charter member of the Central Alberta Optimist Clubs. “It really does a lot of great things for kids who really need the help.”

For more information, visit rdpsd.ab.ca/Foundation.php.



lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com

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