(rdnewsNOW / Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

July 4 - 29

Reading College celebrates 11th graduation

Jul 29, 2022 | 4:25 PM

Students and teachers were dressed in green on Friday for the Reading College’s 11^th graduation day, held in Red Deer Polytechnic’s (RDP) main gym.

The program by Red Deer Public Schools allows Grade 2 students to improve their reading and writing skills from July 4 – 29, while simultaneously enjoying other summer activities.

READ: Reading College attracts 66 Grade 2s for 11th year

“Bruce [Buruma] always says that the Reading College is life changing and it is. If you don’t know how to read by the time you’re in Grade 3, things can be not very good for you,” said Sue Carmichael, Program Coordinator for the second year, as she began tearing up.

Carmichael says not only are children picked on in school for their struggles, but the past few years have added setbacks to students’ skill levels due to the pandemic’s impacts on education.

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However, she says many of the 66 students expressed their excitement for Friday’s graduation before walking across the stage to receive their diplomas, as they did not get to experience their kindergarten graduations.

Carmichael shared her pride for the students, stating they showed dedication throughout the summer, as each morning began with an “intense” workload of reading and writing. She adds with teachers having only eight students each, they were able to get to know the children, build a connection and provide targeted one-on-one teaching.

One particular success story became a favorite for Carmichael.

“We do a pre-writing test and then one at the end. This kid wrote one line. It was a boy and he wrote ‘I am bad at writing’ and it took him a while just to get that sentence. So I happened to be in there yesterday when it was the same prompt and they were redoing it. He wrote a whole page,” she said.

Many of the students said the program was a lot of fun and would recommend it to other children.

Isabella Korchinski said she loved reading stories during the program. She also said she enjoyed watching the slideshow pictures shown during the graduation ceremony as it reminded her of the fun times they had throughout the program.

Declan Wilson said he loved writing about “fun stuff” in his workbook and the activities they did like playing soccer.

Remarks were given at the ceremony by Kristine Plastow, Board Chair for The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools, RDP Interim President Jim Brinkhurst, and Minister of Education and MLA for Red Deer North Adriana LaGrange.

Representatives from the Optimist Club of Red Deer, also sponsors of the program, presented Carmichael with a $13,000 cheque for the Reading College.