Main South CDC Gifts Woodland Academy Students Electronic Readers
Thursday, August 01, 2013
Woodland Academy students will be fighting the notorious summer reading slide. Photo: CarbonNYC/flickr
The Main South CDC has announced that 100 Woodland Academy students were gifted electronic reading devices (Kindles & Nooks) for the 2013 summer as part of a collaborative initiative between the Main South CDC and Woodland Academy to mitigate the summer reading slide.
The “Virtual Library” program was piloted in 2012 by the Main South CDC with 70 Woodland Academy students. Results showed that the effort was successful, as a significantly lower percentage of students’ reading levels declined during the summer in comparison to students who did not participate in the program. This year, an additional 30 machines were purchased and the Main South CDC is very excited that the program expanded to include 100 students. The funding to support this program was generously provided by the George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation.
“The ability for children to read at grade level by the third grade has proven to be a reliable indicator of future academic achievements. In elementary schools where a large percentage of the students don’t speak English at home it becomes a real challenge for teachers to ensure that the majority of their students attain this standard. The Main South CDC recognizes the importance of early education in our community building efforts," remarks J. Stephen Teasdale, Executive Director of the Main South CDC.
"As such it is delighted with the partnership it has forged with Woodland Academy to institute a virtual reading library. The Library is an attempt to embrace relevant new technology as a means of encouraging youngsters to read, and to provide a creative solution to the “summer slide” in reading standards,” he continues.
The Main South CDC’s office serves as the Virtual Library space, where students come to download additional books, receive help with their devices, and engage with the Virtual Library coordinator about the books. The Virtual Library Coordinator is aware of each participant’s reading level and each student has a personalized reading collection.
The Applause to City of Officials
Mayor Petty applauds the Main South CDC’s efforts and stated, “As new technology is unveiled every day, we strive to find ways to practically apply it especially when it comes to helping our children learn. Programs like the “Virtual Library” demonstrate the intersection of technology and education and the results show that it is an effective pairing. Technology is all around us, a part of our everyday life and something that this generation has grown up with. We should keep searching for innovative ways to teach our children and utilize technology to do so.”
The Main South CDC is celebrating this modern approach to reading with a Reading Brunch on Thursday, August 1st, at 10 am at the Main South CDC office, located at 875 Main Street. Speakers include Principal Patricia Padilla of the Woodland Academy, J. Stephen Teasdale of the Main South CDC, Jack Foley of the school committee, and District Four City Councilor Sarai Rivera.
For more information please visit the Main South CDC website.
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