Taylor Reading Corps celebrates second year in existence

The Taylor Reading Corps (TRC) celebrated its second school year in existence with a big “thank you” to the many volunteers who are working to improve the reading proficiency of young children in the Taylor School District.

The celebration was held Sunday, June 2, at the Masco Pavilion at the Taylor Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Heritage Park.

Dave Gorgon, who publishes the Heritage Park Photo of the Day Page on Facebook, was nice enough to show up for the program and captured some outstanding photographs. The TRC and the TSD would like to thank Dave, a Taylor resident, for his time and efforts. You can also access the popular page by clicking here.

The TRC recruits, trains and supervises a network of adult volunteers who read to young pupils in the schools. Taylor has a large percentage of at-risk students, with approximately 50 percent of each year's kindergarten class entering the system without proper reading skills.

Earlier this year, the TRC was honored by the Michigan Reading Association for its efforts. It was named the MRA's "reading agency" of the year and honored during the association's annual convention in Grand Rapids.

In fact, 191 volunteers worked with 35 preschool children, 123 kindergartners and 93 first-graders in the school year that is coming to a close. That came after the initial year in which approximately 100 adult volunteers worked with over 150 kindergarteners during the campaign’s first school year.

Speakers at the celebration included Taylor District Court Judge Geno Salomone, the founder of the reading group; TRC Board of Directors Chairwoman Debbie Stellini, a member of the Taylor Board of Education; Taylor schools Supt. Diane Allen; and new TRC Executive Director Lori Hill-Sanders.

TRC Volunteer Coordinator Emily Sweeney, who played a key role in bringing the entire event together, announced that the program would continue over the summer at McDowell Elementary School, starting June 24. Thanks to some very hard work by Sweeney, the TRC is offering a summer program in an attempt to “bridge the educational gap” that often happens during the summer months.

Last year’s summer program was held at Heritage Park for a limited amount of Taylor children. This year’s program is planning to be an expanded version of that campaign, again focusing on reading.

Caroline Patts, a school district employee and TRC volunteer, said another 150 volunteers would be needed for next year. Volunteering is easy: Each mentor gives a half hour per week per student. But the keys are in the numbers involved: The TRC is a program that is focused on an expansion plan. It started in just the kindergarten level last school year, and expanded to the preschool and first-grade this year. Next year, it will expand again into the second-grade. The year after, during its final “umbrella-like” expansion, it will mentor third graders, too.

But you have to have volunteers to do the job right. And, as Patts said during the celebration, another 150 mentors are needed.

Dozens of volunteers and some children who are program success stories were also on hand for the celebration, along with other TRC board members Linda Newsome, a member of the school board; Rick Sollars, a Taylor city councilman; and Armando Sardanopoli, a Taylor Rotarian who is director of the Volunteer Committee.

Taylor Rotarians provided the food and drinks for the party.

Key donations came from the Chapatwala Family McDonalds, Big Boy (Taylor) and Walmart. About 80-90 students and volunteers attended the event and the TRC was thankful that the City of Taylor coordinated with the setup including grill, tent, chairs and picnic tables.

To volunteer or donate to the Taylor Reading Corps, send email to info@TaylorReadingCorps.org. For more information on the program, click here.