SMART Reading Returning to In-Person at Glide Elementary

After two years of providing virtual reading support, children’s literacy nonprofit SMART Reading has reopened in-person reading programs at Douglas County elementary schools and Head Starts, including at Glide Elementary. Volunteers are reading one-on-one with kindergarten and first grade students, helping develop reading skills and foster a love of reading. Each participating student receives up to 14 books each year to help create their own personal libraries. On February 15, SMART is teaming up with Glide Elementary to take part in the schools’ Literacy Week celebrations. Students and volunteers will be invited to dress up as their favorite book character for a special SMART Reading session. Students will also have the opportunity to select a new book to keep. Reading is a critical skill for Oregon kids. Children are expected to read independently by 3rd grade; yet, research shows that children who do not learn to read by 3rd grade are four times less likely to graduate from high school than their reading-proficient peers, and that number triples for children in low-income households. The pandemic has exacerbated lags in reading development and widened existing education gaps. Providing kids reading support, access to books, and igniting an interest in reading is more critical than ever. For more information, visit www.SMARTReading.org or contact Contact: Kris Dellsite, SMART Reading Program Manager at phone: 541-672-6477 or email: kdellsite@smartreading.org *** Photo courtesy of SMART Reading Program Manager Kris Dellsite.