Energizing Education program needs reading volunteers

Energizing Education, a Jackson County collective approach to promoting literacy, is looking for reading mentors to help students twice a week for 30 minutes, giving the students skills they can use for a lifetime. The program uses a two-pronged approach, aimed at helping students in the county read at or above grade level by the fourth grade:

In-School Mentoring – Volunteer mentors meet with students to read with them for 30-minute sessions in “Literacy Lounges” at each of the involved schools. Mentors are provided with training and resources to help guide the students and provide a fun, learning environment. Family Engagement — Monthly family nights at each school bring children and their parents or guardians together and provide tools to nurture reading at home.

Energizing Education was formed in 2012 with the support of Consumers Energy, United Way of Jackson County, and the countywide Cradle2Career education network.

A pilot program at Frost Elementary School improved reading proficiency dramatically, so the program now includes kindergarten through second grade students at Arnold, Bennett, Frost, George Long, Northeast and Parnall elementary schools.

Two-hour reading mentor training sessions are scheduled for Feb. 24, March 2, 10,18, and 23rd to provide new mentors with strategies to support students before, during and after reading. For more information, please call the program at 990-6070. The Web site is energizingeducationjackson.org.