The January Bump
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Kathy McFarland, PhD,
Chairman, CEO, Tutor for Reading Power
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It happens midyear, every year. Children who have struggled to advance to the next reading level suddenly surge forward. It happens so frequently, our tutors refer to it as the "January Bump."
"My student worked hard all Fall, but for some reason, did not make much progress,"says Kathy McFarland (shown at left). "Then in January, it suddenly came together for him. His reading improved, he had much more confidence, and he smiled as he worked.
It's wonderful to be a part of that!"
This year, Reading Power will celebrate its 15th year of providing reading tutoring for children. Since our founding in 2003, we have worked one-to-one with more than 2,800 children, helping them learn to read and write, and their lives will be forever changed because of it.
Our sincere thanks to all of you who have helped Reading Power grow and prosper these past 15 years. We'll be gathering to celebrate our successes and pave the way for the next 15 years on Thursday, October 18, 2018. Please save the date. We certainly have much to celebrate!
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Our Mission
Working in partnership with underserved schools,
Reading Power provides one-to-one tutoring during the school day
for children in prekindergarten through 2nd grade.
Our mission is to accelerate children's literacy learning,
and to develop in them a love of reading and writing.
All children deserve to reach their intellectual potential.
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Reading Power 15th Anniversary Celebration
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018
Highland Park Country Club
Drinks, Dinner, Fantastic Speakers and YOU!
More info to come.
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News from Lisa Bulzoni, Director of Programs
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Lisa Bulzoni, at left, tutors a student
in Zion while a new tutor observes.
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Happy 2018! As we begin the second half of the school year, Reading Power has much to celebrate. Our fantastic volunteer tutors have facilitated 6,012 one-to-one individualized tutor sessions with 180 students since September!
Being a tutor is much more than just an opportunity to teach children to read. Our tutors also become motivators and champions as children start to fit all the pieces of the reading puzzle together. At this time of the year, we start to see momentum in the learning process and everything starts to click. Would YOU like to make a difference in the lives of children? Email me to learn more about becoming a Reading Power Tutor!
Refresher training
for our 1st grade and 2nd grade tutors is scheduled for Monday, February 12 from 12:30 - 3:00 at Forrestal Elementary School in North Chicago. Training sessions are geared toward new and 1st year tutors, but all tutors are welcome to attend.
Attending the Illinois Reading Recovery Conference has been a staple for Reading Power staff.
Fresh off of this year's conference held in January, we are brimming with ideas to share with tutors and students!
Shown at left are (L to R) Julie Collishaw,
Marion Schmidt
and Marla Guziec.
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Fostering Curiosity to Learn
Nestled in North Chicago in a bright, happy building is the GreenBay Early Childhood Center, a preK building where Reading Power tutors work with all children in 12 classrooms laying the foundation for reading.
"Some children have never held a book, and others are advanced and ready for accelerated classrooms,"
says Joy McGreevy, RP Site Coordinator. "Our goal is to c
reate a conversation with children about the books we're reading. We ask for their opinions and use books as props for oral language development, creating connections and curiosity. Because you have to be curious to learn."
If you love reading books with children, consider supporting the preK program. Tutors for the preK program commit to one hour per week. Learn more about the program by clicking here. And spread the word! More volunteers are needed.
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CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS
YOU can make a difference
i
n our community
by becoming
a Reading Power volunteer tutor.
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Tutor Spotlight:
Emily Shapiro
 "The ability to read means everything in life," says Tutor Emily Shapiro. "And that's why I've fallen in love with Reading Power."
Emily is an Elementary Education major at DePaul University in Chicago who discovered Reading Power through a neighbor. "The program is amazing," she says. "Individual tutoring pinpoints exactly the kind of support they need and allows the student to grow. It's so gratifying to watch them progress so quickly."
One of Emily's students did so well the first half of the year that she read her way out of the program. Now, Emily makes a point of stopping by her classroom for a hug on Fridays. "These children love being in Reading Power just as much as I do. I'm grateful to know that I'm really making a difference."
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Donor Spotlight: AbbVie Foundation
All of us at Reading Power express our deep gratitude to the AbbVie Foundation, which has provided a generous grant to support our literacy tutoring program in North Chicago.
Funding from the AbbVie Foundation will give the priceless gift of literacy to many kindergarten through 2nd grade children, and start them on the path to reaching their intellectual potential. Without thoughtful supporters like the AbbVie Foundation, Reading Power wouldn't exist.
For more information on how you can support us, please click here.
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Reading Power is expanding to reach more children in more schools. You can help us grow by sharing our story. Click below and Forward This Email to a friend. Thank you!
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Reading Power Board of Directors
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Kathy McFarland, PhD, Chairman
Germaine Arnson
Ann Bates, EdD
Kathleen Cowie
John Davidson
Mark Goodman, JD
Mary Jane Hender, EdD
Marra Lochiatto
Todd Litzsinger
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Melinda Mooney
Beverly Raudabaugh, MBA
Betsy B. Rosenfield
Frank Sibley
Nancy Smith, CPA, CMA
Tad Alexander Walgreen
Mary Weber
Tom Wood
Rev. Dr. Gordon Butcher, DMin, Emeritus
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Stay Connected
with Reading Power
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736 N. Western Avenue, Suite 226
Lake Forest, IL 60045
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