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1005 W. Rudisill, Suite 308 Fort Wayne, IN 46807

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PAID FORT WAYNE IN PERMIT NO 1200

Project READS Staff

Deb Dutton Program Manager

Craig Nix Projects Manager

J C York Office Manager

Toma Davis Program Assistant

www.abouteducation.org

260-423-6447

Our vision is that all Allen County children will read at grade level by

the completion of third grade.

Project READS is an organization dedicated to

helping K-3 students achieve grade-level reading goals.

Board of Directors

Marilyn Hissong (2nd Vice President)

East Allen County Schools

Mark Landrigan Brotherhood Mutual

Linda Michael Michael Burns Consulting

Adrienne Romary Carson Boxberger, LLP

Dr. Gloria Shamanoff Northwest Allen County Schools

Lynn Simmers Southwest Allen County Schools

J. Wylie Sirk

IPFW

Shawn Sollenberger (Treasurer)

Baden, Gage, & Schroeder

J P Spagnolo (1st Vice President)

University of St. Francis

Rebekah Thomas (President)

Lincoln Financial Group

Karyn Tomkinson (Secretary)

Fort Wayne Community Schools

Emeritus Board Thomas Callison

Deborah Hoft Jackson Lehman

Ian Rolland Wayne Hall

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About EDUCATION

August 2016

After over 20 years of operating from One Canal Place, Project READS has moved to The Summit. (formerly Taylor University) Located at 1005 W. Rudisill Boulevard, the new Project READS offices will be housed on the third floor of the former Witmer Hall in Suite 308. To help mark the occasion, the Project READS staff will host three volunteer rallies at The Summit. Those gatherings will be held in the south dining hall of the main building on campus (dates and times posted below). Each session is scheduled for two hours to allow volunteers time to talk among each other, as well as to learn about what is new this year with the program. Light food and drink will also be offered. Though our address has changed, Project READS’ goal remains the same: to assist students as they strive to improve their literacy skill and understanding.

Project READS reaches The Summit

VOLUNTEER RALLY & ORIENTATION

Join the Project READS team at one of three meetings scheduled at The Summit. ♦ Tuesday, September 6 at 5:30-7:30 p.m. ♦ Wednesday, September 7 at 1:00-3:00 p.m. ♦ Thursday, September 8 at 8:30-10:30 a.m. At these sessions, you will be invited to complete an application for one of 19 Project READS sites, as well as learn about what it means to be a Project READS volunteer. You’ll have an opportunity to meet other volunteers, share light refreshments, and ask questions. Bring along a friend, too.

RSVP to ddutton@abouteducation.org or call 423-6447.

The Rewards of Volunteering Project READS offers benefits to everyone involved in the program. Last year, 63 students achieved grade-level proficiency, and 81% improved their reading by four or more reading levels. Those figures speak to the benefit to students In a variety of ways, volunteers also gain from their contributions to student success. One benefit volunteers realize is skill development. By using the training and materials provided, volunteers grow their expertise and confidence in literacy skills that can be used not just in Project READS but with family and in neighborhoods. That skill development often triggers career exploration for some volunteers, particularly those interested in the fields of education or social service. Working with their student, a volunteer also gains a heightened sense of socialization. The volunteer meets others in the community—other volunteers, school staff, and agency personnel—learning and sharing different perspectives on life. Those aspects of volunteerism combine to offer per-sonal growth and satisfaction to volunteers when they realize how their interaction with others highlights their own position in their community. They are often made aware of their vital part in helping to create a brighter future for all. Perhaps the greatest benefit to volunteers, though, is the positive impact they have on the lives of others, particularly the students with whom they share the experience.

ABOUT EDUCATION PAGE 2

What does being a good volunteer mean? The experience of working with a young student who is a fraction of your age can be intimidating to many volunteers.

Here are some factors to consider to make the experi-ence for both you and your student a success:

1) Be dependable—Your student is counting on you to attend each session.

2) Cooperate—when space is tight, materials are in demand, or noise levels increase, remember to share and be considerate of others.

3) Mirror respect—The spirit of cooperation demon-strates concern for others.

4) Ask questions—Project READS staff provides support and years of experience from which to draw.

5) Be a friend—Offer support, encouragement, praise, sympathy, and sometimes just a willing ear.

Share the Love

Project READS “Share the Love”

November 3, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

IPFW International Ballroom

Guest Speaker: Olympian & local legend

Lloy Ball

Doors open at 5;30.

Dinner at 6:00. (Catered by Shigs ’n Pit)

Silent Auction

7:00-7:15

Tickets—$30 (individual) $50 (couple)

$200 (table of 8)

We wish to acknowledge these individuals, corporations, and foundations who have provided their generous financial support to the Allen County Education Partnership from January 1, 2016—July 31, 2016.

ABOUT EDUCATION PAGE 3

Day Literacy Site

Address Time

Monday Heritage Elementary School 12050 Houk Road, Monroeville 2:40 – 3:40 Fairfield Elementary School 2825 Fairfield Ave. 3:00 – 4:00 Northcrest Elementary School 5301 Archwood Lane 3:00 – 4:00 Bridge of Grace 5100 Gaywood Ave. 4:00 – 5:00

Tuesday Woodlan Elementary School 17117 Woodburn Rd., Woodburn 2:50 – 3:50 Indian Village Elementary 3835 Wenonah Lane 3:00 – 4:00 Study Elementary School 2414 Brooklyn Avenue 3:00 – 4:00 Queen of Angels Catholic School 1600 West State Blvd. 3:15 – 4:15 New Haven Primary School 1445 Berwick Ln., New Haven 3:45 – 4:45 Homestead High School 4310 Homestead Road 4:00 – 5:00

Wednesday Weisser Park Elementary School 902 Colerick St. 3:00 – 4:00 Haley Elementary School 2201 Maplecrest Rd. 3:00 – 4:00 Harrison Hill Elementary School 305 Cornell Circle 3:00 – 4:00 Washington Elementary School 1015 W. Washington 3:00 – 4:00 Waynedale Elementary School 7201 Elzey St. 3:15 – 4:15 McMillen Park Community Ctr. 3910 Abbott St. 4:15 – 5:15

Thursday Huntertown Elementary School 15330 Lima Rd., Huntertown 2:45 – 3:45 Southwick Elementary School 6500 Wayne Trace 3:00 – 4:00 Timothy L Johnson Academy 4615 Werling Drive 3:15 – 4:15

Project READS Site List 2016-2017

Anonymous (multiple) Fort Wayne Medical Society NIPSCO Aetna Foundation Gorrell, Betty J. Romary, Adrienne American Association of University Women Hissong, Todd & Marilyn Salway, Paige Eric & Mary Baade Charitable Foundation HP Arnold Foundation Schwartz, Denis & Mary Arnold Brotherhood Mutual Foundation Indiana First Lady’s Foundation Sirk, Dr. Wylie Centier Bank Indiana Michigan Power Simmers, Bing & Lynn Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne M. E. Raker Foundation Steel Dynamics, Inc. Crawfis, Patricia A. McArdle, Bob & Jennifer Surack, Chuck Edward M. & Mary McCrea Wilson Foundation McCrillis, Paul & Cecilia Thomas, Hal English, Bonter, Mitchell Foundation McGraw, Jane Thomas, Rebekah & Kevin Florin, Karen Michael, Linda Tomkinson, Karyn Foellinger Foundation Mol, Evert & Susan Waterfield Mortgage Foundation Fort Wayne Health & Education Foundation New Haven Community Fund