(Suppled)

By Alessia Proietti

Red Deer Public Schools

Reading College attracts 66 Grade 2s for 11th year

Jul 4, 2022 | 6:09 PM

This Monday, 66 Grade 2 students from across Red Deer Public Schools (RDPS) kicked off their first day at the Reading College program to improve their reading and writing skills throughout the month of July.

Now in its 11^th year, the program takes place at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) and ends on July 29. The students began July 4 with a “Green Day” receiving new green Reading College shirts for a group photo.

“Third grade reading levels are one of the best predictors of high school graduation. Reading College helps struggling readers become readers of potential,” said Sue Carmichael, Program Coordinator of Reading College. “Reading College is a fantastic program that inspires kids to read and write to ensure they are ready and excited to enter Grade 3.”

For the entire month, RDPS officials say Reading College students will be immersed in a literacy-rich environment, while being supported by three mentor teachers as well as six recent graduate teachers of RDP.

They say students will also enjoy fun summer activities each day, including early dismissal on Fridays alongside a theme for the day like Ice Cream Day, Crazy Hair and Dress in Bright Colours Day, and PJ & Stuffy Day.

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RDPS officials note student exposure throughout the post-secondary institution may further enhance their excitement about reading and writing and introduce them to possibilities for their future.

“Even with summer holidays just starting, kids and parents were excited when they got on the bus today to start Reading College. In 20 days, we will see significant improvement using approaches that have demonstrated real success. Students will be working hard at reading and writing, but also playing hard with lots of great literacy-based activities around RDP,” said Bruce Buruma, Executive Director for the Foundation for RDPS. “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 is a project of the foundation for RDPS. The district says the program would not be possible without financial support from many community partners and others who donated including the Central Alberta Optimist Clubs and Tim Hortons through their Smile Cookie campaign.

Transportation is provided to students along with meals and snacks throughout the day.

Officials confirm the cost of the program is roughly $100,000 each year. Buruma states that without donations and RDP offering their facilities for free, the program would cost families around $2,000 per student.

For more information about Reading College, visit rdpsd.ab.ca.