A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Samples of America Reads Challenge Federal Work-Study Programs and National Service Initiatives

CAMPUS COMPACT FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE
President Amy McGlashan
America Reads Contact: Karen Kiley
116 South River Rd., Suite D-4
Bedford, NH 03110
Email: kiley@nhcuc.org
Website: www.nhcuc.org
Telephone: 603-641-1122
Fax: 603-623-8182

The state of NH has embraced the America Reads Challenge. NH"s colleges and universities have led the effort as 17 of CCNH's 23 member institutions have committed time, energy and resources to NH's literacy efforts.  As a result, beginning in June, CCNH will have a Literacy Corps comprised of 10 full-time VISTA members who are dedicated to regionally understanding and meeting the literacy needs here in our state.

CCNH feels that our program will excel due to our tremendous resources at the colleges and universities. As the Literacy Corps grows, we will use our statewide network of faculty, staff and students to develop service-learning options in the classrooms. We will continue to use their expertise to develop top-notch trainings and evaluation tools. CCNH will foster increased collaboration with NH's other streams of service. True collaborative relationships will be forged between schools, after-school programs, community organizations and businesses. It is an exciting time to be in NH. All of the CCNH member institutions are to be commended for their hard work this year. Next year (1998-1999) will only bring continued improvements, growth and collaboration (and improved literacy skills for the children of NH, of course!).

CASTLE COLLEGE
President: Sister Olivia Kidney
America Reads Contact:  Emily Barbara
23 Searles Road
Windham, NH
Email: ebarbara@juno.com
Telephone: (603) 893-6111
Fax: (603) 898-0547

Our America Reads program will be in its second year.  Our volunteers work in the schools during the school day, and interest from all parties has been increasing.  Because there is an AmeriCorps member on campus this year, we hope to expand the program, include training and orientation, strengthen our resources, and get more students to participate.  Our goal is to set a strong foundation from which we can build.
 

DANIEL WEBSTER COLLEGE
President Hannah McCarthy
America Reads Contact: Joan Kreie
20 University Drive
Nashua, NH
Email: kreie@dwc.edu
Telephone: (603)577-6067
Fax: (603)577-6001
Number of FWS Students: 6
District: Nashua

The AmeriCorps member on campus, sponsored through the Learn and Serve program, acts as the coordinator for this program. The AmericaReads program has been built into an existing partnership with Mt. Pleasant, a local elementary school. College students go to Mt. Pleasant school during school hours to offer one on one and small group literacy assistance to children with reading difficulty. Students' tutoring schedules are set up on an individual basis and the number of hours per week ranges from 2 - 8. This flexibility in the program allows the college students to participate regardless of other commitments. In addition to the work study tutors, there are several college students who volunteer at the school without financial compensation.

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
President James O. Freedman
America Reads Contact: Mary Oronte, SEO Director
6124 Thayer Hall, Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
Email: mary.oronte@dartmouth.edu
Telephone: (603) 646-3641
Fax: (603) 646-0370
Number of Students: 9
Number of Districts: 1

Dartmouth's Student Employment Office is collaborating with the Tucker Foundation to expand existing tutoring & other literacy programs. The Tucker Foundation is dedicated to furthering the moral and spiritual life of the College, and thus provides many opportunities for students to take part in community service activities, including tutoring. These programs are both volunteer and available through the Federal Work Study Program. A new AmericaReads Challenge pilot site has been established at the Enfield Village Elementary School (NH) serving grades 1-4. Eight FWS students and one NonFWS student participate in this pilot. Three or four tutors visit the school every day and work with area children after school, in the library. Other existing programs at the Foundation, such as Book Buddies (our one-on-one volunteer literacy/mentor program) have been expanded in response to the AmericaReads Challenge.

The Tucker Foundation and the Student Employment Office are working together to address issues of AmericaReads Challenge expansion into other schools where there is a demonstrated need. Issues prohibiting expansion at this time are: first, background checks are required by many school districts in NH. Currently, the cost of the background checks is shared by the Tucker Foundation and the school's PTA which is not a sustainable arrangement. Second, transportation in a rural setting presents special problems and currently limits our capability to expand the program. If the Dept.of Education provided a per-volunteer allowance to assist with transportation and criminal check costs, the program could increase rapidly. Third, sustainability of quality leadership can be challenging when student coordinators are involved. Being able to pay student coordinators (at the 100% match) would be helpful in keeping leadership in this program and allow for expansion.

KEENE STATE COLLEGE
President Stanley Yarosewick
America Reads Contact: Don Hayes - Community Service Coordinator
Address: 229 Main Street
City: Keene
State: New Hampshire
Email: dhayes@keene.edu
Telephone: 603-358-2665
Fax: 603-358-2875
Number of Students: 29

Comments: Keene State has placed 29 work-study students and two volunteers at nine local agencies: including Headstart, the local community kitchen, WIC, and a local home for handicapped children.  Placement and trainings are in collaboration with NH Reads, a statewide initiative derived from the America Reads Challenge.  Keene State had a great first semester and we are looking to expand for Spring of 1999!

LEARNING PILLOWS
President Jane K.Kronheim
America Reads Contact: Jane K.Kronheim
Address: P.O.Box 345
City: Greenfield
State: NH, 03047
Email: jkronheim@aol.com
Telephone:603-827-3859
Fax: same as tel.#
Number of Students: 0

Comments: Learning Pillows are a series of products based on a specific philosophy in education/literacy. These are innovative multi-sensory materials developed to enhance the learning potential of young children. Focus is on visual/tactual and auditory media. These educational resources are designed in such a way as to make learning and teaching a fun and imaginative experience for children ,teachers and care-givers.

NEW HAMPSHIRE COMMUNITY TECHNICAL COLLEGE
President Alex Easton
America Reads Contact: Sue Jacobs
379 New Prescott Hill Road
Laconia, New Hampshire
Email: s_jacobs@tec.nh.us
Telephone: (603) 524-3207
Fax: (603) 524-8084

America Reads students are placed in four area Elementary Schools serving K-3rd grades as Reading Tutors and working with Reading Specialist at the respective school.  These efforts are coordinated with the Financial Aid Office and area Elementary School Principals.

NEW HAMPSHIRE COMMUNITY TECHNICAL COLLEGE - CLAREMONT
President Lucille Jordan
America Reads Contact: Carmen Prandini
One College Drive
Claremont, NH
Email: c_prandi@tec.nh.us
Telephone: (603) 542-7744 ext. 2284
Fax: (603) 543-1844
Number of Students: 6 available
District: Claremont School District
 

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