CCSC approves reading program

Friday, August 18, 2006

Sonny Stoltz and Patty Lien recognized the problem and now they intend to do something about it.

On Monday, the first-year Cloverdale High School Principal and Literacy Program Coordinator approached the school board hoping to install a new program at the school.

Stoltz told the board that he wanted to put together a literacy program for freshmen with recognizable reading deficiencies.

"I think it's a great opportunity," Stoltz said.

He told the board Lien and he wanted to put together the program in order to improve reading and language arts ISTEP scores.

"The program works as a tutoring program," Lien said.

She said freshmen with reading deficiencies would be matched with students from the National Honor Society. In time, the freshmen would also read to elementary-aged students.

"This will also build their confidence," Lien said.

She added the freshmen and tutors would be monitored weekly and they would earn credit through the program.

In addition, Lien said studies showed students in similar programs were able to increase their reading levels two-fold.

"It's a win-win for everybody," Lien said.

Cloverdale Community School Corp. Supt. Carrie Milner said money for the program could come from the professional development funds and hoped those running the program would monitor the progress of the students for future updates to make sure the program was working.

It was estimated the program could run at the school for approximately $3,500.

Board member Bobbi Nees said she was all for such a program prior to making a motion in favor of it.

"I believe that for $3,500, if we can help half of (the students involved), it will be a worthwhile investment," Nees said.

The board passed the motion, 6-0. Board member Todd Whitlock was not at Monday's meeting.

Meanwhile, the board heard an update on Judy Vallejo's trip to the Indiana Hospitals and Health Association's Health Teachers Workshop.

"We really had an exceptional time," Vallejo said.

Vallejo said the group of 30 teachers that attended the workshop managed to watch a cathiterization and were also taught how to give shots.

"We just did everything," she said. "They kept us really, really busy, but it was worthwhile. It was a great conference."

Vallejo was sponsored for the event through Putnam County Hospital.

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