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Tutor Edward Lombard with Ayden Hobart.
Spartan News is a presentation of Mason County Central Schools in partnership with Mason County Press.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
AMBER TOWNSHIP — Mason County Central Schools has partnered with members of the community to help give some first and second grade students a boost in learning. Community Reading Buddies, held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 765 W. US 10-31, is in its fifth week. The after-school program meets weekly and matches a volunteer tutor with a student. It is inspired from the Book Mark’s On Track Reading Program that is in its second year.
The Book Mark’s program started in 2023 and is geared toward third grade students from Ludington Area Schools.
“After the launch of the Book Mark’s program, I met with Bob and Carole Kosanovich, owners of the business, and discussed launching a similar program for MCC students,” said Angela Taylor, MCC director of compensatory education and migrant education. “We used their program as inspiration but have tailored it toward the needs of our MCC students.”
Janine Riisberg tutors Weston Reams
Taylor said 12 students are currently enrolled in the Community Reading Buddies pilot program, which meets until April.
“We were limited by the number of volunteers and also wanted to make sure we didn’t start off too large,” Taylor said.
The Scottville Elementary students are bussed over to the church immediately after school on Tuesdays, Taylor said. “They then get a snack and start working with their tutors. At the end of the session, each student gets to pick out a free book.”
While the program’s emphasis is on reading, students are also taught lessons in social emotional learning and math.
Taylor said the Community Reading Buddies is just one of the programs MCC offers to its students above and beyond the regular school day.
“We also offer a summer program for second and third grade students,” Taylor said, “Plus, we have summer programs for our high school students as well. We strongly believe programs like this match our mission of being a community school. We are so appreciative of the volunteers who have dedicated their time to help our students.”
Gordon Briggs tutors Wesley Skaggs
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