Project READ May 2014 Accomplishments

Project READ Family Literacy Instructional Center TEENS

The end of the year is an exciting time here at Project READ, as we watch some of our long-term learners and tutors graduate from middle school and high school.

This year, 10 of our teen tutors are graduating and all heading off to four year- and community colleges. They will be greatly missed, but their impact is lasting.

This past semester we had 45 active teen and preteen tutors in our Family Literacy Center youth tutoring program, totaling 860 hours of tutoring and mentoring.  Over the past school year these teen and preteen tutors dedicated over 2,000 hours of community service as youth tutors at Project READ. These young people are modeling positive learning experiences, the value of community service and a love of literacy to our youngest learners. Their dedication is exemplified through the astounding number of hours that these students have committed to Project READ.  As a result seven of our outstanding teens were awarded the Sequoia Award for community service, several other teens have been awarded internships, scholarships and grants for their hours of community service. Congratulations to all of our graduating Seniors!!! We’re excited to see what amazing futures they will have.

Joy (Learner & Teen Tutor), Maryanne (Tutor), Cesia (Learner & Teen Tutor)

FLIC/FFL Story Hour

This past month over 60 Project READ learners, families and friends gathered together to take part in Story Hour. Students crafted along side community volunteers and HOBA volunteers. Children created gifts for their mothers in honor of Mother’s Day, using recycled and household items, so that these preliteracy crafts could be replicated at home and shared together with their families. “Off We Go To Mexico,” was our family book, given to each family that attended. The children’s band, Cotton Candy Express performed for our families, which included students getting on stage with the band, playing instruments and singing along. It was an evening enjoyed by all.

Book Club

This month our community partners, the Junior League, helped us offer two book clubs for our youngest learners, which served approximately 25 students. Our middle school tutors also helped by taking part in reading along with the chosen book and assisting the young students with the theme-based craft.  Students were able to take home a new book each Book Club to build their home library and take part in a related pre-literacy craft. Siblings and friends read alongside their tutors in a round table format.

Kids In Partnership:

Teen Tutor Trip to UC Santa Cruz & Beach Boardwalk

After polling our teen tutors, we found that the majority this year were interested in visiting UC Santa Cruz (this included two seniors who had been admitted and were deciding whether or not to enroll, but who had not yet visited the campus due to family constraints). Thirty-two teens gave up a whole day of spring break to travel to the campus! Project READ staff and UCSC alum, Cassandra, led a tour of the campus and fielded questions. The teens also enjoyed lunch at an on-campus eatery and then spent a few hours relaxing and having fun at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!

KIP Tutors and Learners Celebrate Their Year of Hard Work

As the school year approaches its end, KIP pairs and small groups took the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments with an outdoor spring carnival. Over 70 youth participated in two days of good old-fashioned fun including potato sack races, picture decorating, beanbag toss and a sponge-ball relay! Students also exchanged heart-felt notes and well-wishes in the “friends and memories” section of the annual KIP science and cooking project book. One KIP mom reported that her daughter regularly takes over the kitchen to make the recipes for her family. Mom’s favorite so far is the smoothie that her daughter made for the whole family!

KIP Award Night

KIP pairs and small groups had the opportunity to celebrate all of their hard work and accomplishments at our annual KIP Award Night! Over 150 students, tutors, and family members gathered at the Fair Oaks Cafeteria to celebrate the hard work and achievements of the KIP participants.  Lori and RJ of Cotton Candy Express kicked the evening off with a group sing-along. In fact, one of our most timid, first-grade students, took our breath away when she volunteered to sing along to Disney’s Let it Go. Not only did she know every word, but she sang it beautifully and then beamed when the whole cafeteria erupted in applause for her!

Teen tutors presented each learner with a handmade, personalized award certificate highlighting their specific contributions and accomplishments during this KIP year. Likewise, staff presented each tutor with a custom-made award as a small token of our appreciation for their hard work and dedication.

Teen Tutors Reflect on a Year of Service

Below are some of the tutors’ reflections on their experiences in KIP this year:

"I love being able to build that relationship with my learner and I’m proud that I was able to help my partner get out of her shell."

"As a teen tutor, I have learned how to help kids without giving them the answer...I have loved seeing my student improve over the past two years."

 “I helped my learner learn how to do math in a different way." 

"I love getting to know all f the kids and helping them with their work. I like the community and appreciation I feel when I come to KIP.” 

“I have learned how to successfully teach reading comprehension and math. I have also learned how to approach difficult situations and talk to the learners in a respectful way.”

All in all, the KIP teen tutors contributed over 1500 hours of community service to the KIP program this school year!

Project READ - Adult Literacy Computer Lab:

We had 8 new adult learners to Project READ who have committed to working on their literacy skills using Lexia - Reading S.O.S, a phonics based reading program and Rosetta Stone to build vocabulary and grammar skills. Of our adults waiting for a one-on-one match,many now regularly come in to work on building their skills; in May they logged in over 139 hours of computer use.

Families In Partnership:

As we are approaching the summer we have a lot to celebrate in the Families in Partnership Program. We presented the participants of our Sequoia High School SAFE/Project READ partnership pilot program with awards for their dedication and hard work throughout the year. The end of the year reading assessments showed great educational strides for our Kindergarten learners! The learners averaged an increase of 2.0 reading levels over a six-month period! Our tutors expressed great gratification and shared their favorite parts of the program in their exit interviews.

Some of the quotes are:

“Seeing how my learner changed, he went from being shy to more talkative and comfortable” 

“The fact that I was able to have a relationship with my learner. I looked forward to it every week.”

We were excited to learn that most of the tutors and learners are interested in returning next year.  This new partnership has been a great addition to our duel intervention youth programming.

April 2014 Accomplishments

Students and tutors create art!

Project READ Family Literacy Instructional Center, Day of Art:

During Spring Break this past month, approximately 30 learners and Junior League and teen tutors worked together to create large-scale art projects that will be hung as backdrops at our annual awards ceremony and BBQ. Additionally, students created smaller sea creatures to be part of our “Under the Sea” theme.  Students used varied objects from broccoli-rabe to sea sponges to create texture on the backdrops.  Art integration is a critical part of the learning process and our Project READ curriculum. This project engaged students in collaborative projects that focused around community building.

Project READ Families For Literacy Story Hour

Over 80 learners, families and friends attended our April Story Hour, where Magic Dan performed for our families. Students took part in three different pre-literacy crafts based on our “family book” made from recycled or household items. Students were able to self-select books from our book give way table to add to their home libraries. Our collaborative partners, Hands On Bay Area (HOBA) volunteers and community volunteers were on hand to help our little ones work on their art projects. It was fun night for everyone.

Project READ’s collaborative partner Mid Peninsula Junior League Book Club:

In April, our youngest students joined our Book Club with our Junior League tutors working with two small groups of children. More than 20 academically at risk students attended the two Book Clubs, where they read the same book in a round table format. Our youngest students read alongside the adult tutors, while other students read aloud. Students were able to bring their new book home to build their home libraries and practice reading their books to family. Students created art projects that were focused around the books they read.

Project READ Adult Inmate Program at SMCO Correctional Facilities:

Project READ provided an open entry/exit Poetry and Literacy Course at the Women’s Transitional Facility in Redwood City that ran for five sessions over five weeks.  We began with eight students, and we ended with a total of twelve student contributors.  Each session looked at a particular form of poem: List, “I am”, Conversation, Narrative, and Acronym.  Each session was divided in to three parts:

1.   Reading and discussing a particular form of poetry

2.  Writing poems of that type in a twenty minute class period

3.  Presenting the poems to the rest of the class

The learners were quite enthusiastic and seemed to enjoy the creative process.  Some of the students had never written a poem, while others had experience, but little training.  Each lesson focused on learning poetic conversations and devices along with stressing the importance of creating fresh images while using very few words.

The poems were compiled into an anthology. Each poem represented a different form studied over the five weeks of the course. They represented the sharing of the personal thoughts, ideas, and experiences of the women.  We hope readers from friends and family shared a memorable experience with the poets as they read their creative works.

Project READ - Adult Literacy Computer Literacy Program:

We welcomed 12 new adult learners to Project READ who are working with the Lexia - Reading S.O.S, a software-based reading program, and Rosetta Stone, the language acquisition program, to increase their vocabulary, grammar and conversation skills. These learners are awaiting a one-on-one match with a tutor, but have been able to start improving their literacy skills immediately by incorporating technology.  In April they logged in over 142 hours of interactive self-paced computer aided learning.

Project READ - Families In Partnership (FIP):

This month FIP had five new pairs start meeting regularly in the Family Instructional Center.  We also had seven new students receive reading evaluations and are now receiving services in the Family Literacy Instructional Center drop in program until they are matched with a volunteer tutor.

Teen Tutors

March Accomplishments 2014

Hands On Learning for Kids In Partnership Families

During the early dismissal week at Fair Oaks Elementary, 32 youth and 2 moms, volunteered to participate in a KIP art day. These dedicated youth and helpful moms worked together along with Project READ staff on collaborative art projects that will be displayed at our annual BBQ and Award Ceremony in July.

Later in the week, over 50 KIP students, tutors, and moms ventured outside of the neighborhood on a field trip to the Children’s Discovery Museum in San Jose.  There, students and families enjoyed hands-on fun including food sculptures with multi-sensory play dough, watering the garden, imaginative play, bubble fun and self face painting.  Students were also excited to see that the imagination station exhibit stocked full of large foam blocks was back!

KIP Story Hour Celebration at Fair Oaks Community Library

Daylight savings came just in time for our spring celebration at this month's story hour!  Over 75 students, tutors, family members and community volunteers came to kick off the extra hour of light with a puppet show performed by Randall Metz of the Puppet Company.

Families also enjoyed receiving the monthly family book, Mouse’s First Spring, and creating art projects inspired by the story including signs-of-spring binoculars, watercolor butterflies, and a food sculpture “mouse” family made of strawberries, chocolate chips and licorice.  Hands-On-Bay-Area volunteers, lead by Maryanne, continued to be a vital source of support at this month’s story hour. These dedicated volunteers not only helped with set up and clean up, but also brought the interactive crafts to life for many of our KIP students and families. We truly appreciate their support! Participants finished the evening with choosing additional books for the home library.

KIP Small Groups and One-on-One Tutoring at Fair Oaks Elementary

Weekly, over 70 youth continue to participate in small groups and one-on-one tutoring at Fair Oaks Elementary. In addition to individualized tutoring, this month’s enrichment and hands-on learning included homemade helium balloon science projects, salsa making cooking classes, and group games like Four Corners. Students participating in weekly book clubs continued to increase their vocabulary and English language idioms through reading and discussing books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid Hard Luck, Pictures of Hollis Woods, Dot, Cactus Soup and Our California.

Adult Programs

This month was a celebratory month for all Adult programs.  A mother in the Adult Community Program, whose son also has a tutor and comes to FLIC, passed her Citizenship Exams and officially became a U.S. Citizen.  She and her tutor have been meeting once a week for six months to achieve this goal!

Families For Literacy

A single mother of four passed her final GED test.  She and her tutor met multiple days and many hours each week using a technique that has worked for other Spanish-speaking learners.  While the learner took the five GED exams in Spanish, she and her tutor (who speaks no Spanish) worked in English GED and comprehension-building materials.  Project READ’s mission is to help learners meet their goals in the most comfortable way possible.  For this learner, she improved her English literacy skills and test-taking strategies to take an exam in a language she felt more comfortable with.  We applaud her for such a big accomplishment.

Adult Inmate / FFL

Project READ staff received a letter from a learner who participated in the Fathers and Families Nonviolent Parenting program at the Maguire Correctional Facility in September of 2013.  This particular learner was not in regular contact with his children, for the relationship had been strained by incarceration.  Part of the Fathers program is that graduates record themselves reading a children’s book and send the book, CD, and a message home to their children.  Apparently this gesture opened the door for communication between this incarcerated parent and his children.  The learner subsequently went to state prison.  In the letter we received this month, he writes:

Because of the letters I wrote my daughters while I was [in county jail], we are now in constant communication, and now my 16 year old has someone she can dump all of her problems. That she trusts I won’t judge her. I love it!!

My kids are really proud I’m getting my GED. In fact it might be the only thing stopping [my 16-year-old daughter] from dropping out [of high school].

FLIC/FFL/Families In Partnership

During this month’s Story Hour at the Downtown Library, four learners and three tutors in the Families in Partnership (FIP) Program were honored by a local State Farm office because of their participation in a writing contest. Students were asked to read a biography about someone who inspired them and write a short passage. All the students and tutors were given a gift card for their participation. A grand prize was given to one of the pairs because their story not only talked about how inspirational Martin Luther King was, it also discussed how they hope to one day make a difference in their community. During the presentation, the local State Farm representatives thanked everyone at Project READ for either volunteering their time or making a commitment to improve their literacy skills. It was a very joyous occasion, and we are grateful to State Farm for reaching out and encouraging students to try their best.  

2014 Sequoia Awards

The Sequoia Awards recognize local senior high school youth, who have significantly contributed to their community above and beyond their educational requirements. 

Project READ proudly recognizes our amazing teen tutors who were recognized for their community service at the 2014 Sequoia Awards.

Paul Chavez: (FLIC Teen Tutor )Paul is a leader in his community. Paul moved to Redwood City ten years ago from Peru and has been deeply involved in many community and school organizations and clubs, including tutoring young learners in Project READ.

Lizette Cuevas (KIP Teen Tutor) Lizette values both education and volunteerism and combines these passions while helping young Fair Oaks students improve their literacy skills. Lizette is a teen tutor in our Fair Oaks tutoring program (KIP), where she is paired with a third grade learner.

Chelsea Lollar (FLIC Teen Tutor) Chelsea has been both a learner and tutor at Project READ. As a teen tutor, Chelsea works with K-5^th graders to improve their reading, writing and critical thinking skills. She has volunteered in both our after school program and our summer programs, inspiring our youngest learners.

Audrey Poltrorak (FLIC Teen Tutor) While involved in many varied community service organizations, including collaborative partner Young Dreamers, Audrey has been a teen tutor in our drop-in program since her freshman year. She has dedicated countless hours to helping young students improve in their reading, writing and homework skills.

Kayte Toscano (FLIC Teen Tutor) Kayte and her family have been a part of Project READ since she was in elementary school. Kayte began with Project READ as a learner, and as her reading excelled, so did her commitment to Project READ. Kayte has been both a pre-teen and teen tutor at Project READ, dedicating countless hours of tutoring to our youngest learners both in our drop-in program and summer programs.

Viridiana Caracheo (FLIC Teen Tutor) Viri and her family have been a part of Project READ since she was a young girl. Viri first started with us as a learner, but quickly gave back by tutoring in our drop-in and summer programs. Additionally, Viri volunteered over 80 hours at Project READ through a program at her school, Summit Preparatory High School.

Project READ Teen Poetry Slam

This month five Project READ teens took to the stage in our first Poetry Slam/Open Mic event. Teens who were teen tutors in our Summer FLIC Summer Program worked together for several weeks creating and work shopping original poetry. Students worked with staff, volunteers, and a member of Youth Speaks, a youth organization based in the Bay Area.

Five of our teens read poetry at the slam that was held in the Community Room of the downtown Redwood City Library. Over 30 people were in attendance to support our teens. Congratulations to all of our poets!

‘The Planter’

Kyrie Perez Alvarez

‘Willow Tree’

Joy Velasco

‘Pursuit of Happiness’

Silvana Valle

‘Day 1’

Lindsey Bogott

‘Untitled’

Komal Kumar - read by Cesia Barrera

Project READ Teen Awarded Sequoia Award

This month one of our teen tutors was awarded the Sequoia Award for his outstanding community service and work with Project READ. William Dahu has volunteered at Project READ in the FLIC program for the past four years, committing many hours of time to tutoring and mentoring our youngest learners, as well as being a peer tutor to our teens. The Project READ staff was honored to be invited to the Sequoia Awards to support William for his commitment to literacy. William is a dedicated and thoughtful young person who adds to the Project READ community. Congratulations William!

Haikus by PR Writing Group

Our young Writing Group has been working on many genres of writing over the past few months. This month we are highlighting some of our tweens haikus.

Brianna & Sabrina's Haiku

Hardwork Inspires
Goals, success and fulfillment
Ends in Happiness

Kimberly & Kelly's Haiku

Our Friendship is strong
It will never break apart
Always Together