Thank you for your interest in becoming a Haude Elementary Classroom Reader for the 2023-24 school year!
Sign up link https://forms.gle/3d5Vass82i5DeSLo8
2023-24 Classroom Reader Days/Times & Start Date
Pre-K start October 20th on Fridays 2:45pm - 3pm
Kindergarten start October 16th on Mondays 1:00pm - 1:20pm
First Grade start September 1st on Fridays 12:50pm - 1:15pm
Second Grade start September 1st on Fridays 11:30am - 11:50am
Here are some of the Frequently Asked Questions about being a reader.
Who can be a reader?
You need to be an approved KISD volunteer prior to signing up for classroom reader. That's it! We welcome all readers - parents are our most common readers, but we welcome all family members!
What do I need to do to become approved as a volunteer?
Fill out a very basic background check form on our KISD Volunteer page:
Ensuring the safety of our students is our top priority. Having our volunteers complete a background check is one of many ways that we assure safety and security in our schools.
All volunteers must submit a new application each school year
Please read the following information before completing your volunteer application.
Applicants will receive an email confirmation regarding the status of their application within 5-7 business days.
Approved Volunteer Applications will be maintained for the current school year. Annual approval is required for all volunteers.
So I can't sign up until I am approved?
No.
How do I know if I'm approved?
You will receive an e-mail from the Raptor system once you are approved. We will verify your status as well but please do not come to a reading session/sign up for a slot if you are not an approved volunteer.
How do I get signed up?
Haude volunteers all use SignUpGenius.
The readers are set up in a rotation - you will not choose your specific days or time, they will be assigned based on the class's slot (day/time). We have found over many years that this works best, and readers are able to navigate swapping with each other over the weeks. Readers will only be assigned about 2 months out as we accommodate new volunteer readers throughout the year, and some readers' schedules change/they need to leave the rotation or their family moves.
When will I read?
Each classroom will have its own slot. When these are finalized, they will be posted on this front page. Some classrooms end up with 15 people who want to read, meaning everyone only gets to do it once a semester or so, and other classes have only a couple of readers. The readers are set up in a rotation - you will not choose your specific days or time. If you need to make another arrangement, please see "what if my plans change and I can't read when I'm signed up" below or contact the teacher about an alternate time you could read (though this is less preferable as they have a lot of work to get done in a week).
How long do I have?
Typically, the slots are 20 minutes, depending on each class's schedule. Often the slots are adjacent to the lunch period, but not always. This could be a good opportunity to have lunch with the student. Please check with the teacher about what time you need to be finished, to avoid being interrupted mid story.
What do I read?
This is one of the most often-asked questions! We've crowdsourced a list of some popular choices and our librarian, Ms. Newberry, has also put together a list of great read-alouds for different ages.
The students are so happy to have any volunteer come and spend time with them. They like funny books, calm books, poetry, non-fiction, fantasy ... pretty much everything! If you're into the book, they'll be into it.
What do I do when I come to the school for my reading slot?
Bring your ID to enter the building and then stop immediately at the main desk. A member of the staff will ask you why you're at the school today, and you can let them know what class you're reading to. They will ask to see your ID and will print you a badge. If you are not an approved KISD volunteer you will not be allowed to read to the class.
Then you will go to the student's classroom. If you're not sure where that is the first time you come, please ask the staff when you receive your sticker badge for the day. Also, any staff member you encounter in the building will be happy to direct you to the right place. When your time slot is up, you simply exit again through the office area, removing your sticker badge.
What if my plans change and I can't read when I'm signed up?
Life happens! We get it! Classroom reader is an excellent volunteer opportunity for all families, including people who work during the day, because the time slots are often around lunch time and they're short. But, we know that doctor's appointments, meeting changes, sicknesses, and all the other "life things" happen and you might not be able to make the slot anymore. Not the end of the world!
We do ask that you try to swap with another person who is a reader for that classroom prior to simply cancelling. We will attempt to get all readers for a given classroom connected via GroupMe this year, but we also ask that you try to use the SignUpGenius "swap" function.
Will the kids like the books I choose?
YES! They're happy you're there! And the teachers are also happy :)
What else do I need to know?
Classroom reader is a fun and easy way to be in the classroom with students and learn a bit about their personalities, how the classrooms work, and what they're learning. If you have questions, please contact Michelle Rightmyer (see email below). Thanks for being a reader!
Now ... if you have read all this, thanks!! Go back up to the top of the page and click on the link to sign up as a reader! Have fun this year!
*If you have further questions please e-mail classroomreaderhaude@gmail.com.*