By Sasha Williams
Photo gallery:”Every 1 Reads”(Photos by Lonnie Trent)
The University of Louisville has joined the “Every 1 Reads” program, a city-wide effort dedicated to improving children’s reading skills to their proper grade levels. As part of the program, U of L adopted a local “at-risk” elementary school.
The university chose Semple Elementary because of the school’s close proximity to the Belknap campus. Semple became involved with the program last year.
Barb Kissell, the coordinator of Family Resources for the elementary school, said teachers have noticed a remarkable difference in the children who participated last year. Kissell also said that Semple needs as many volunteers as the university can send.
“The kids love to emulate high school and college students,” she said. “Really, the kids just love anyone who will give them the one-on-one attention that they need.”
“Every 1 Reads” is sponsored by Louisville, Inc., which includes the Jefferson County Public School System and Metro Government. This is the second year of the program, and the first year U of L has been involved. The program targets children who are currently reading below grade level, many of whom are enrolled in schools with test scores so low they are considered “at-risk.”
U of L students and faculty are encouraged to volunteer. The program asks that volunteers commit roughly one hour per week throughout the entire school year. Half of that hour is spent reading with the child, and the rest of time is spent signing in and out. Books and other reading materials will be provided by the school. The children are tested beforehand and then offered books appropriate for their reading level.
Each volunteer reads with the same student all year and may request the same child the following year. Dan Hall, U of L’s vice president of External Affairs, participated in the program last year at Noe Middle School. “It was a very rewarding experience,” Hall said. He added that he almost hated to see the school year end because of how close he’d gotten to his “buddy.”
“We hope that we get a good response from our U of L community,” Hall said. “We really hope that the fraternities and sororities will come forward to support this program.”
Last year, Semple Elementary had no backing from any organization and only had 30 volunteers. Brenda Gunn, the coordinator of the program at U of L, said that she currently has about 40 students on her list of volunteers, 160 students short of number that the university hopes to provide. However, Gunn warned those interested in participating not to get involved in the program unless they can keep their commitment.
U of L will hold an orientation for anyone interested in the “Every 1 Reads” program Sept. 7 from 1-4 p.m. in the Student Activities Center’s Floyd Theater. Participants will not be approved until a police background check has been conducted.
Kissell said that although they like to schedule volunteers near the end of the school day, Semple will try to accommodate anyone’s schedule. “I’m not sure who gets more out of it, the kids or the adults,” she said. “Just an hour out of your week is such a precious thing to them.”
To find out more about volunteering, visit www.louisville.edu/ur/cr/everyonereads.html.
