Make a Difference at Norman-Sims Elementary School
For the last six years, St. James’ has built up a Reading Buddies program with students at Norman Elementary, now Norman-Sims Elementary in a beautifully remodeled building within walking distance of our church.
Reading Buddies make a difference in the lives of elementary school students by reading to and with their student, introducing them to the exciting world of reading, and acting as a valuable mentor guiding them toward academic and personal success.
In addition to the Reading Buddies program, we seek to support teachers at Norman-Sims through regular teacher appreciation events and by supporting the yearly Norman-Sims Art Show.
Consider becoming a Reading Buddy! From the beginning of September 2023 until early May 2024, Reading Buddies will be paired with one or two students, with whom they read for about 40 minutes each week, for the duration of the school year.
Many volunteers have two buddies, so they commit to an hour a week on campus. The program focuses on younger students in order to ensure that they are meeting grade level literacy skills by the end of third grade. We need English and Spanish readers (folks with enough fluency for Spanish-language books at the early elementary level). Reading sessions take place during elementary school hours, usually close to lunchtime.
Reading Buddies will be required to submit to a background check and participate in some training in September.
This year, the books chosen for Reading Buddies will come from the CDF Freedom Schools program, rooted in the Mississippi Freedom Summer project of 1964. The Freedom Schools reading curriculum is a research-based, multicultural program that introduces students to stories written and illustrated by people of color from diverse cultures. The books are designed to support self-esteem, ignite interest in our past and our future, and meet young readers where they
are.
If a weekly commitment during the school day doesn’t work for your schedule, consider joining the teacher appreciation team. This group builds supportive relationships with the teaching and administrative staff at Norman-Sims, and, of course, provides periodic food and hospitality to celebrate their diligent hard work.
If you are interested, contact Emily Donahue (emily@welcometableaustin.org) or Jim Harrington (jim@stjamesaustin.org). Thank you for your generosity of time.
