September 2020 Newsletter |
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Reading Power Kicks Off Its 18th Year of Tutoring |
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A record 120 men and women spanning the North Shore suburbs officially launched Reading Power’s 18th year of tutoring at our Virtual Kickoff Meeting, on September 9th. The virtual meeting was charged with excitement as tutors saw faces of their tutoring colleagues and Reading Power staff for the first time since March.
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Tutoring will look different this year as we pivot to virtual tutoring, but our staff and tutors are are excited by this new opportunity. Our successful summer pilot has provided a sound foundation, and we now know that remote tutoring is a viable option for students. Much will stay the same, some will be different, but the relationship with students will remain.
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Remote tutoring adds a new tool to our gold standard in-person tutoring offering the potential to do MORE during and beyond the school day to address the increased need from school closures.
At the beginning of every year, and now more than ever, we are grateful for the community of caring adults and donors who make Reading Power possible. Cheers to the coming year!
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State Farm Insurance Neighborhood Assist Award Program!
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Reading Power is excited to announce that we have been selected as a finalist in State Farm Insurance Company’s $25,000 Neighborhood Assist Award Program! State Farm has already researched and narrowed the applicant pool down to a final few, with the “winner” being selected by popular vote! Individuals near and far can each VOTE 10 TIMES PER DAY during the period 9/23 – 10/2 to help Reading Power WIN this award …simply by clicking on the link below. Each dollar Reading Power receives directly improves the lives and futures of children.
Now more than ever, being a good neighbor is Reading Power’s top priority. With only 13% of students in the districts we serve reading at grade level, and Covid-19 school closures threatening to further diminish literacy gains, Reading Power is ready and able to step in and answer the call.
Equipped with a record number of tutors, Reading Power has modified its individualized tutoring model to include a vibrant, effective and fun remote option! What’s more, this new model can soon be scaled and expanded to new geographic locations, ensuring that even more children in need receive the life-changing assistance Reading Power provides, no matter where they reside!
How you can help -
Won’t you please be a good neighbor and VOTE EARLY and VOTE OFTEN…and most importantly SHARE THIS LINK with friends, family, business associates and across all social media. With your support, and your vote, Reading Power can and will provide the literacy support our youth need to live productive lives.
Thank You!
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Week of September 21
All tutors are encouraged to participate in virtual tutor training. All new tutors are asked to attend or view two trainings: Foundations in Literacy and Foundations of Reading Power. The sessions will be recorded and added to the Reading Power website for viewing.
Beginning the Week of September 28th: Site Based Training
Staff will begin training during scheduled “tutoring times.” Be on the lookout for emails from site coordinators providing information on virtual tutor training. Training will be offered for kindergarten, first and second grade. The sessions will train tutors in each aspect of the lesson plan and are highlighted by real life examples.
Virtual Tutoring Sumer Pilot
Experts predicted a significant learning loss from school closures. Our pilot demonstrated the opposite. Our students showed no loss in reading fluency and even showed modest gains! Dr. Ann Bates, former reading professor says, “Preventing summer loss would make the case, but real, measurable progress is quite an accomplishment.” The average student score in the summer program increased by 140 percent from the winter assessment. A total of 238 sessions (150 hours) were provided to ten students in kindergarten, first, and second grade. Students received an average of 24 sessions. An unexpected benefit was the opportunity to engage with families.
Before COVID
Before school closure, Reading Power was on track for one of the best years of student achievement ever. Lisa Bulzoni, MEd, Director of Programs notes that, on average, students were on a trajectory to progress out of the at-risk range. Kindergarten students were on a path to meet or exceed spring targets, first grade students were approaching spring targets, and second grade to move above the at-risk range.
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Donor Spotlight: BMO Harris |
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Reading Power would like to thank and recognize BMO Harris for their ongoing support for our tutoring program.
BMO Harris Bank has awarded Reading Power grants to support our general operating budget since 2008, and was the first to step up and sponsor our 15th Anniversary Celebration in 2018.
Reading Power is proud to partner with BMO Harris Bank, whose purpose is to Boldly Grow the Good in business and in life.
“BMO’s purpose is to Boldly Grow the Good and we are proud to support Reading Power in its continued efforts to positively impact children and families during this tenuous time and for years to come.”
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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 second 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 Board of Directors |
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Kathy McFarland, PhD, Chairman, CEO
Marra Lochiatto, MBA, Vice Chair
Ann Bates, EdD
Kathleen Cowie
John Davidson
Mark Goodman, JD
Mary Jane Hender, EdD
Todd Litzsinger
Rahul Malhotra
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Melinda Mooney
Beverly Raudabaugh, MBA
Frank Sibley
Arthur Turner
Mary Weber
Tom Wood
Jim Young
Rev. Dr. Gordon Butcher, DMin, Emeritus
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Reading Power Program Staff |
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Lisa Bulzoni, MEd, Director of Programs
Daniela Cruz, Program Assistant
Nancy Duffy, Resource Development Manager
Joanie Alley, MSEd, Assistant Site Coordinator
Julie Collishaw, MA, Site Coordinator
Kristin Fine, MEd, Site Coordinator
Andrea Glickman, MAEd, Site Coordinator
Marla Guziec, BS, Site Coordinator
Mary Jane Hender, EdD, Site Coordinator
Jenny Kronauer, BS, Assistant Site Coordinator
Joy McGreevy, BA, Site Coordinator
Cathy Plate, MSEd, Assistant Site Coordinator
Kay Roller, Site Coordinator
Marion Schmidt, BS, Site Coordinator
Karen Uihlein, Assistant Site Coordinator
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SHARE this email with your friends and help us GROW to reach more children!
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