Reading program offered for students, families at the library

The Ritzville Public Library recently received a grant from Humanities Washington to partner with the Ritzville Grade School to host a family-oriented reading program for third and fourth grade readers and their families.

This program is called Prime Time Family Reading and has been provided by Humanities Washington since 1996 and there are ten libraries currently participating.

The Prime Time program focuses on third and fourth grade students due to findings from a study released by the American Educational Research Association. This study found that a student who cannot read proficiently by the third grade is four times less likely to graduate by the age of 19.

The purpose of this program is to allow families to feel more comfortable visiting the library and to get families reading together.

This program also intends to show how reading can be fun, spark discussions and to hopefully help students improve in school.

Through this program Humanities Washington has distributed more than 118,000 books to children, parents and teachers.

Once a library has become a partner in the program they receive assistance in finding a school to partner with. Humanities Washington also funds the entire program from stipends for those involved to funding the meals provided at each meeting.

This program started on Oct. 12 and occurs every Monday at the Ritzville Library from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. for six weeks.

Each week a different theme is the center for the discussion and includes three books for families to read together.

The library chose the “Favorites Series” of books. This set mixes classic children’s books along with books that explore other cultures while still tying back into the weekly theme.

Sandi Atkinson, retired Ritzville school librarian, participates as the storyteller. She demonstrates to the families how to read to children.

Polly Buckingham, an English Professor at Eastern Washington University, is the scholar for the group.

She focuses on showing how to start conversations in regards to what they are reading and how to determine the larger theme presented by the book.

Heidi Harting is the preschool coordinator for the program. She provides story time and crafts for younger kids while the students and their families are participating in the program.

Kylie Fullmer who serves as the Library Coordinator for this program and ensures each week runs smoothly.

Carol Templin, the Title 1/LAP coordinator at Ritzville Grade School, is the community organizer. Her role includes working with teachers to identify potential students and families to participate.

Currently the program includes 12 families who were chosen by their teachers to partake in the program.

At the end of the six weeks there will be a special graduation program and each student participating will receive three books to keep and start their own collection at home.

The books, dinner and childcare for younger children is provided for the families each week.

Joni Plager, who is the Food Services provider for the grade school, prepares the meals each week for the families.

The Humanities Washington website states, “With this program parents and children can learn more about themselves, their families and their communities.”

There in only one week left in the program but any families interested in the program can contact Templin by calling the RGS at 659-0232 or via email at [email protected].