SUNDAY: Highland Park book swap to help turn the pages for campaign to save tutoring program

That short video by Dina Johnson tells the story of how supporters are hoping to save the Reading Partners one-on-one-tutoring program at Highland Park Elementary. We first mentioned it here last weekend; their next event is a book swap tomorrow (Sunday, June 25th) afternoon at Highland Park Improvement Club (1116 SW Holden). It’s free – bring books, for kids and/or adults! – and also a chance to find out more about the program and how volunteers are trying to save it. Their main fundraiser is a GoFundMe page that has now passed $6,000 but has a long way to go to the $30,000 needed by July 15th to keep the program from being dropped at HPES.

5 Replies to "SUNDAY: Highland Park book swap to help turn the pages for campaign to save tutoring program"

  • ImmaMom June 24, 2017 (9:15 pm)

    If it’s all volunteer how does It cost the school $30k? 

    Are they dropping it because they are out of money, or is it not as value added as one would assume?   Just asking.   I know schools are in a tough spot financially, but sometimes these volunteer programs are not as great as planned/hoped. 

    • WSB June 24, 2017 (9:21 pm)

      Because there’s no money. Even a volunteer program costs money to administer. Dina, the longtime Highland Park community advocate (and a Reading Partners volunteer), replied to my original question about that, “Someone at each school has to train the volunteers, match them with students, schedule tutoring sessions, keep track of all the children, contact families, supervise every group, organize the materials, answer questions, arrange for substitutes, etc. That is the volunteer coordinator, and she’s worth more than she’s paid. Also, the cost of the teaching materials and licensing, I believe. Also, all the volunteers undergo background checks.” – TR

  • Dina J. June 25, 2017 (7:22 am)

    IMAMOM,Thanks for your interest, and thanks for the answer, TR.
    I know the principal has to make tough decisions based on reading scores per $ when money is so limited.  But we feel not everything can be quantified that way.
    We’ve seen these children’s confidence and interest bloom with extra one-on-one attention each week.  No crowded classroom can offer that. 
    Some have sketchy home situations, and families who don’t or can’t help with schoolwork.  If kids fall behind, it could mean years of failure and frustration. They may not graduate high school.
    My 2nd-grader told me right off he hated reading.  But we developed a rapport.  By the end he was boasting of the books he’d read and the 40 books he intended to read over the summer.  He jumped up to give me a long hug…it was hard to say goodbye.

  • SWinWS June 25, 2017 (1:00 pm)

    Someone asking: Why would they need $30,000 for a volunteer program?  I think we need reminding that $30,000 in today’s terms is mere pocket change!– it is truly amazing that these women are serving an entire school in need on modest resources.  I would urge the community to support this project: reading is vital to a child’s well-being and it provides them the most important tool towards success, there is no way around it!  Thank you WSB for getting the word out and good luck to Reading Partner in reaching their goal, it would be unfortunate to lose this outreach for our children and community.

  • BlairJ June 25, 2017 (1:15 pm)

    Book swap is open.  Stop on by!

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