West Nash launches a bold initiative this summer!
In 2014, the NC Conference of the United Methodist Church launched the initiative, Congregations for Children, and challenged every UMC to partner with a local school in order to combat poverty, racism, and the ever growing academic achievement gap in our local schools.
The statistics are staggering:
· If a child is not reading by 3rd grade, they are 4 times more likely than proficient readers to drop out of school before earning a high school diploma.
· Wilson County has approximately 600 children, K-3, who are significantly below grade level in reading.
· Summer reading loss occurs primarily with low-income children who are already behind in school and where summer learning opportunities and resources are not available. In a single academic year, this decline, on average, results in an estimated 3-6 month achievement gap between more advantaged and less advantaged students. Between grades 1 and 6, the potential cumulative impact of this achievement gap could compound to 2.5-3 years’ worth of reading development lost.
We made a difference!
Beginning June 21st, West Nash partnered with Wilson County Schools to offer 22 children from Wells and Hearns elementary schools (rising first and second graders) who are behind in reading a chance to improve reading skills and have fun, too. Wilson County Schools provided breakfast and lunch, shared materials, and supplied staff to administer follow-up assessment. West Nash members modeled and instructed in reading skills and offered special times of art, music, movement, and physical fitness.
A huge thank you to the more than 20 volunteers who have stepped up to:
* teach reading, writing and phonics
* teach the special activities: KidFit, dance/tumbling, music, and art
* serve as bus driver and/or monitor on the daily bus route
* help serve meals and clean-up afterwards
* visit with children during breakfast and lunch at their tables
* donate books for the program and for children to take home at the end of the program.
We could always use more books: Great Books to Buy for Summer Reading.
ENJOY A VIEW PICTURES OF OUR TIME TOGETHER WITH THESE BRIGHT AND WONDERFUL CHILDREN!
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