|
This project targets a minimum of six elementary schools in the Vista Unified School District (covering both Vista and Oceanside) which are designated as Title 1 and Program Improvement schools AND have English proficiency scores under 50%. First grade students will be the beneficiaries of this program and grant as ultimate recipients of a book of their own after a classroom reading session by local Rotarians and Interact club members.
President of the VUSD school board, Dr. Steven Lilly, our current club president (2012-2013) has stressed that reading is the single most important factor in the long term success of students.
Developing interest and competency in reading must start at an early age and our District boasts an extremely high percentage of English as Second Language students, emphasizing the need to target very early grade levels. This grant, in combination with the discounted availability of books through Rolling Readers, permits us to serve a minimum of 1,500 first grade students.
Our program will involve local Rotarians and Interact students reading to first grade students and distributing books (both English and Spanish language versions) to each student in the classrooms. Target for project reading and distribution of books is September, 2012 to December winter break. Last years program and grant facilitated reading and distribution of books to 481 students in six schools over six dates from November to March. We hope to expand the program this year to include all Title 1 schools in the District.
It is important to note that the Rotary Club of Vista is to partner with our club and request a similar reading program grant with which we will be coordinating to assure the maximum coverage of schools in our district.
| 
