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The #One Churchill Reading Initiative

THE #ONECHURCHILL READING INITIATIVE

Literacy is one of the cornerstones of a child’s success in school and in life. Research has shown that a child’s ability to read is intricately linked to better decision-making regarding health and enhanced problem-solving abilities. The transformative power of reading extends beyond academics. It plays a vital role in nurturing a child’s well-being and self-assurance. 

The reading program for Churchill students is taught by specially-trained teachers using a scientific-based systematic approach, guiding students through the logical steps toward reading with a focus on minimizing frustration and prompting optimal progress. Because we believe that we are stronger together, we are committed to sharing our time, talents, and resources with the community and have developed the #OneChurchill Community Reading Initiative. 
 
About the #OneChurchill Reading Initiative
The Reading Initiative is a free after-school program that provides 27 weeks of free systematic Orton-Gillingham phonics instruction using the Preventing Academic Failure (PAF) program. Classes are taught by trained teachers in small groups of no more than 8 students, providing valuable support to families who may not have access to private tutoring or additional reading assistance in their school district. 
 
Qualifying students:
  • have completed Kindergarten but are having difficulty with sound/symbol recognition, OR
  • are in grades 1, 2, or 3 and are struggling to read, and/or are dyslexic, AND
  • do not have extra reading support offered to them through their school district

Program Details
  • The 27-week term begins in late October and runs through early June. 
  • Classes take place on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4:00 - 5:00 pm. 
  • Families can choose between online or in-person sessions. 
  • Participation is for the full 27 weeks, and children are expected to attend both of the sessions that take place each week. 
 
Important Details to Consider Before Applying
Please note that because reading instruction is sequential, each lesson builds on previous material, so attendance is very important. Please give careful thought to the time and travel commitments involved for you, your child, and other family members.
  • Students with three undocumented absences in a row will be removed from our roster.
  • Sign-in begins at 3:50 pm. 
  • Students arriving after 4:15 will not be allowed to enter their class and will be marked as absent.
  • An adult (18+) must accompany the child to/from classes.

The Admissions Process - What to Expect
Reading Initiative has a 2-part admissions process:
 
Application 
The application must be completed by both the parent/guardian and the child's current teacher and be received on/before the date listed on the application. For your child’s application to be considered, it’s important that ALL fields are accurately filled out by the appropriate individuals. After carefully reviewing all completed applications, if we believe that our phonics-based instruction would benefit your child, we will reach out to you via e-mail to schedule the next step of the admissions process. 
 
Screening and Evaluation
The next step in the process is a 30-minute screening, where your child will meet one-on-one with a reading teacher for an informal assessment at Churchill. We will send you an email the week before with the exact time slot for your child’s appointment, making it easier for you to plan ahead. 
 
We want to ensure the most accurate assessment, so please understand that the results will not be available immediately after the screening. Rest assured that we will take the time to carefully score each evaluation. Once all assessments are complete, we will promptly inform you of acceptance determinations via email. 
 
Please know that our evaluation process is designed specifically for our program’s acceptance and placement purposes. It is meant to help us create the best learning environment for your child. While the results are not intended for IEP or other educational uses and won’t be shared with you, we are committed to providing your child with the support they need to thrive in our program

Application

The Reading Initiative application period for the 2023-2024 school year is closed.