Background / History
The Rotary Read-A-Long Program was started in 2005 by Jeff Peddle of the Rotary Club of St John’s East. Jeff realized that school libraries have been under funded for many years and that as a consequence children in St John’s were finding fewer and fewer books to read.
An active member of Rotary, Jeff, single handedly, raised funds and took other Rotarians plus friends and family into schools to read and donate books. Jeff’s enthusiasm has been infectious and the program quickly gained momentum. In the first year (2004/5) Jeff and his team read to over four thousand children in ten schools.
In 2005 Jeff teamed up with Alex Twells also of the Rotary Club of St John’s East and together they have developed the embryonic program into it’s current form.
The Benefits
6 BOOKS A WEEK
Independent tests taken at the beginning of 2006/2007 school year in a school in New York showed only 11% of 6 year olds were at their grade level in mathematics; however, by the end of the year 86% were at their grade level. This may have something to do with involving parents who were instructed to read 6 books per week to their children
The Economist May 10th 2008
The program has benefits for all concerned:
The children enjoy a story for about thirty minutes and the appearance of a new face in the classroom. They see a positive role model for reading and service in the community.
The teachers enjoy a break from the regular curriculum and have a chance to reference the importance of reading and literacy in the wider world.
The school receives a significant donation of mainly Newfoundland books for their depleted library.
The Rotarian readers have, without exception, been warmed by the experience of thirty children listening intently to their stories. Almost all our readers have expressed a wish to read on a regular basis.
Rotary International. In addition to reading a story the readers also discuss the role of Rotary and the benefits to the community. This has proved to be an excellent way to communicate the benefits of Rotary at a grass roots level.
The community at large. Groups such as the RNC, the RCMP and athletes with the Memorial University of Newfoundland Sea-Hawks have been enthusiastic partners in the program; they add an excitement to the classroom experience and benefit from the positive associations it brings for the children.
.
