(Red Deer Public Schools)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

learning the fun way

Reading College opening kids’ eyes to future opportunities

Jul 13, 2023 | 4:04 PM

For a twelfth year, Reading College at Red Deer Polytechnic is putting grade two students through the literacy paces.

Reading College focuses on students heading into grade three who are not yet reading and writing quite up to grade level.

Officials with the program have noted over the years that literacy levels at this age have a long-term impact on high school graduation rates, so nipping any issues in the bud at that stage is critical.

The program has a higher than usual 69 students this year, with Program Coordinator Sue Carmichael noting there is a growing need.

As for what the kids are doing, it isn’t strictly limited to reading, writing and arithmetic.

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Different community organizations come in through the month to give students experiences somewhat outside of that scope, including Red Deer Action Rugby, Innisfail Golf Course, Dance Magic, and children’s author Sigmund Brouwer.

There’s also a variety of Indigenous games taught, something introduced last year, plus each Friday has a different fun theme.

“We try to expose the kids to as many fun things as we can so that they hopefully can see the many opportunities out there for themselves in the future,” says Carmichael, noting the program has evolved over the years, and that being at the polytechnic helps students imagine more possibilities.

“It is a very expensive program, but there is no fee for parents, and we pay for transportation and the food.”

Major partners include local Tim Horton’s locations, which raise money through the Smile Cookies campaign, as well as Central Alberta Optimist Clubs, Red Deer Polytechnic and Prairie Bus Lines. The Red Deer Rebels, Cilantro and Chive, and The Chapman Literacy Endowment Fund are also among the major partners.

Reading College runs until the end of July at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.