Make A Difference—Be one of the 100 Meyzeek Every1Reads Volunteers

The Issue--We want Meyzeek to be the best middle school in Kentucky.  We also want it to be the best possible preparation for  high school.  Unfortunately, at Meyzeek, we have 150 kids who are not currently reading at grade level.  We need to work with those kids to catch them up, so that they are prepared for high school and for life.  We can’t let them slip further behind.  If a kid can’t read at a 6^th-8^th grade level, then high school’s going to be very difficult.  This is a critical time for these kids in their path to being productive adults.

The Goal--This Fall, we’ve set a big goal for ourselves—to grow Meyzeek’s Every1Reads program by 500%, from 17 student participants and volunteers to 100.

Meyzeek Parents are the Key--As a Math, Science & Technology magnet school, Meyzeek is blessed with some very bright children.  We’re pretty sure that those kids didn’t get that way without a lot of support and encouragement from their families.  Unfortunately, not all of our students are blessed with that same positive and accomplished support structure. 

The Time Commitment—Unlike elementary school, middle school doesn’t offer as many opportunities for parental involvement.  But this is a way to be involved, to get to know the kids, the teachers and administration, and without a huge time commitment.  We are asking for a weekly commitment, meeting with one child for 30 minutes.  If you have an hour to donate, we can introduce you to two students, thereby doubling your impact!  However, if your schedule only permits bi-weekly visits, we still welcome your involvement.  Not only will you be helping with that child’s reading skills, but you will be opening up his or her world to what’s possible beyond Meyzeek. 

The Training & Scheduling--You will receive training early in the Fall on how to best help these kids navigate through the challenge of reading a book, magazine or newspaper article, involving whatever topic interests them.  We absolutely promise to work with your schedule, whether it’s early in the morning before school starts or some other time of the day.  We will have someone here at the school who will notify you as early as possible if the child you are working with is absent on the scheduled day, so that you don’t make a wasted trip.  You are the key to making this program go and we do not want to waste your time. 

The Mutual Reward--We’re not promising that it’s going to be completely smooth sailing.  But we are promising that you will have a direct impact, not just writing a check, but a one-on-one impact on a student that could last a lifetime.  Listen to young adults who’ve overcome a tough road and they always mention someone who took a personal interest in their well-being.  What could be more fulfilling?

Please Sign-Up and Make a Difference --Please sign-up by sending your contact information (email and telephone numbers) to Maria Marchal at mariamarchal@yahoo.com.  And while you’re at it, sign-up your spouse or other friend or relative, and let’s reach 100 volunteers before mid-September when we kick-off the program.  We’re going to have fun.  Anyone who can read and is willing to help can have an experience they’ll never regret.