The Literacy Connects Infusion Project completed a successful second year of programming in the Sunnyside School District, expanding from its initial school site, Mission Manor Elementary, to include Los Niños Elementary.
Funded primarily by the Helios Education Foundation, the Infusion Project has become a prototype for learning how to effectively integrate Literacy Connects’ programs within a school, and how to connect the school and our programs in a significant way to other literacy-based organizations serving the same school community.
The Literacy Connects Infusion Project includes an integrated offering of intensive reading coaching for struggling K-3 readers, the Magic Box for all students, after-school drama and literacy-based programming, and English Language Acquisition classes for parents at each school. In collaboration with the schools and Parents As Teachers, the Infusion Project offers “Family Reading Night” twice each semester. Furthermore, in conjunction with Pima College Adult Education and Make Way For Books, the Project implements “Teach the Parent, Reach the Child”, a parent-delivered training on reading development. At the Valencia Library, Adult Basic Literacy tutors provide Spanish language basic literacy and GED classes for parents and other adults in the community.
The Infusion Project is designed to be implemented, studied intensively, and then adjusted as needed. This summer, our project evaluators, LeCroy & Milligan Associates, will be analyzing data collected from all Infusion activities. We’ll have a better sense of the Project’s impact later this fall. Until then, here are some preliminary numbers to celebrate:
At Los Niños…
- 27 students (1st – 3rd grade) worked with reading coaches for the entire year.
- 630 stories were fed to the Magic Box.
- 50 students participated in Culture Club, the after-school programming.
- 25 parents attended ELAA classes each semester.
- A total of 170 adults and 223 children attended four Family Reading Nights, with 860 free books going home with them!
At Mission Manor…
- 29 students (1st – 3rd grade) worked with a reading coach.
- The Magic Box feasted upon 605 stories.
- 65 students joined the after-school Story Share program.
- 50 parents and 40 children attended the Family Education Night program during the school year, participating in adult ELAA and ABL classes and children’s language enrichment activities, with an estimated 1,000 free books going home with adults and children.
At Valencia Library…
- 50 adults have attended Spanish language GED classes since last August.
SUSD’s Summit View Elementary, located at 1900 E Summit St, joins the Infusion Project this coming school year, 2015-2016. The school is already passionate about Stories That Soar! High and the integration of drama into students’ learning, so they are very enthusiastic about this opportunity.
You can be a part of this exciting new Project! Recruitment for Summit View Reading Seed coaches and ELAA tutors has already begun. To learn more about how you can help, click here to sign up for one of two information sessions being held on July 9th at Summit View. Anyone interested in becoming a Reading Seed coach can call Jessica Dennes at (520) 882-8006 ext 291. Those interested in teaching ELAA at Summit View can contact Chila Loustaunau at (520) 882-8006 ext 213.
