Join Us and Play for a Purpose |
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Whether you want to...
⛳️ Hit the links on Onwentsia’s revered golf course.
♣️ Join us for Learn and Play Canasta, the hottest card game sweeping the Northshore.
🍸 Enjoy dinner on Onwentsia’s gorgeous outdoor patio at our cocktail reception.
There is fun to be had for all!
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Don’t wait, spots are filling up quickly. Purchase your tickets HERE today!
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COVID Silver Lining Lessons |
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Reading Power is thrilled to be returning to in-person one-to-one tutoring this fall. However, we would be remiss not to reflect on the many silver linings of the past year of virtual tutoring. We’ve all learned and grown in ways we are still discovering. At Reading Power, new processes have been implemented and new ways of working have taken shape. |
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While we won’t miss our mute buttons, we will take these learnings with us as we move forward to DO MORE:
- Virtual tutoring works! While in-person is our gold standard, if needed, virtual sessions are successful
- Digitizing our processes and tracking has helped to streamline and enhance our program
- Virtual libraries, digital activities, and tutor information sharing are now the norm
- Program parents have become partners in learning with increased visibility and communication with their student’s tutor
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Where We're Headed This Fall |
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The COVID-19 pandemic only added to the literacy needs of the at-risk students Reading Power serves. School closures and low engagement in virtual learning have translated directly into greater learning loss among Reading Power’s population of predominately low-income and minority students exacerbating existing achievement gaps by 15 to 20 percent (McKinsey & Company, June 2020). Our students need reading intervention now more than ever.
The good news is Reading Power is part of the solution. Research shows that a proven catalyst for accelerated learning is the kind of one-to-one support that Reading Power provides students. This fall, we plan to Extend, Expand, and Enhance our programming to meet the needs of our students.
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Our program calendar will be EXTENDING by over two weeks and our tutoring days will also increase, to address learning loss due to COVID school closures. We offered a six-week summer program to help students be better prepared for the start of the school year.
We are EXPANDING to a new school Oakdale in Waukegan and adding prekindergarten and kindergarten programs in Zion. Plus, we are working with community partners to broaden our program’s impact beyond the school day.
We will be offering hybrid in-person and virtual tutoring options, ENHANCING the delivery of our program with the digitized lesson plans and data management developed in collaboration with the Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business.
The need continues to be great, but our purpose is to be part of the solution.
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We are honored to be featured in the August 2021 issue of Forest and Bluff for our upcoming Play for Literacy event on September 13th at Onwentsia Club in Lake Forest.
Read the entire article HERE and don’t forget to register for the event HERE
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Reading Power Tutors - Making Connections, Leading the Way |
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Connections allow the Reading Power family to DO MORE together to foster the promise of literacy. The relationships between students and Reading Power tutors help make learning possible. Meet two of our returning tutors and members of our Play for Literacy Fabulous Foursome, Tom W and Jim Y:
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The Fabulous Foursome (L to R):
Tom Wood, Tad Turner, Frank Sibley, Jim Young
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RP: Tom, why do you tutor?
Tom: “I tutor because I want to give back in a significant way. To build relationships with these kids is beneficial to all.”
RP: Jim, why is tutoring so rewarding?
Jim: “You can see what a difference you are making. The improvement in the students comes quickly, and it can be significant. The joy the students have when they realize they can read is beyond words.”
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RP: Are you both ready to hit the links on September 13th for our Play for Literacy event? Which member of the Fabulous Foursome will have the best golf day?
Jim: Well, that’s a silly question! Of course, I’m going to have the best golf game! Seriously, I think it's going to be a great event. Onwentsia is going to do a great job, and it's a fantastic course. It will be a fun day for everyone.
Tom: “It will be a great day for all, but the real reason we’re hosting the event is for the students. They will be the real winners.”
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Want to join the Fabulous Foursome on the links? Hurry! Only a few golf spots remain. Click HERE to register.
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Calling All Past, Present, and Future Tutors! |
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Please join us on Wednesday, September 1st at 10:30 a.m. at the Art Center of Highland Park for our combined Tutor Appreciation and Fall Kickoff Meeting. We look forward to seeing all returning, new, and potential tutors at this event. CLICK HERE TO RSVP
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Ready For Tutor Training? We've Got A Spot For YOU! |
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At Reading Power, we pride ourselves on the quality and availability of ongoing training opportunities. Please see below for our 2021 Fall Tutor Training schedule and click HERE to register for your sessions.
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New tutors are required to attend one Foundation of Literacy Training and one Introduction to Reading Power Training that applies to your assigned grade level.
Returning tutors must attend one of the onsite training sessions at their assigned tutoring location.
All are welcome to attend either or both Foundations Trainings
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Vaccine Requirement
As an organization navigating the ongoing status of COVID-19, our priority continues to be the safety of our staff, tutors, and the children we serve. We also must follow the protocols set by our school partners. As a result, we are requiring that all staff and volunteer tutors be vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination at training.
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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
Kathleen Cowie, Secretary
Jim Young, MBA, Treasurer
Ann Bates, EdD
John Davidson
Rob Davis, JD, MBA
Suzanne Surkamer Dobbins
Mary Jane Hender, EdD
Todd Litzsinger
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Rahul Malhotra, MBA
Melinda Mooney
Jacalyn Ramdin-Johnson, MBA
Beverly Raudabaugh, MBA
Frank Sibley
Arthur Turner
Mary Weber, MA
Tom Wood
Rev. Dr. Gordon Butcher, DMin, Emeritus
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Reading Power Program Staff |
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Lisa Bulzoni, MEd, Executive Director of Programs and Operations
Kate Burke, BS, Marketing and Communications Manager
Daniela Cruz, Program Assistant
Nancy Duffy, Resource Development Manager
Kristin Fine, MEd, Associate Director of Programs/Site Coordinator
Joanie Alley, MSEd, Assistant Site Coordinator
Katie Burdiak, BA, Assistant Site Coordinator
Julie Collishaw, MA, Site Coordinator
Andrea Glickman, MAEd, Site Coordinator
Marla Guziec, BS, Site Coordinator
Mary Jane Hender, EdD, Site Coordinator
Joy McGreevy, BA, Site Coordinator
Cathy Plate, MSEd, Assistant Site Coordinator
Marion Schmidt, BS, Site Coordinator
Karen Uihlein, MA, Assistant Site Coordinator
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