Outreach

Gearing up for this summer’s Freedom School at Pinewood Elementary is underway,  set for June 20 – July 28. The biggest volunteer need is Harambee readers during July.  A Harambee reader is a guest reader who shares a book of their choice just for about 5-10 minutes during the morning gathering to start the day, 8:20-9:00AM and the goal is to have a different reader each morning.   You can sign up on this spreadsheet or contact Pat Franklin to sign you up or learn about more volunteer opportunities.

What is Freedom School? Summer can make or break the education of lower-income kids who can lose two to three months in reading comprehension during this time.  By the end of third grade, lower-income children are typically two years behind in reading, due in large part to summer learning loss. Without significant intervention, most who fall behind by third grade will never catch up. Freedom School Partners changes the future for under-resourced students by giving them three life-changing tools: literacy skills, character strengths and a community that believes in them.

Harambee!  is a daily pep rally designed to celebrate and affirm each participant. In addition to songs, cheers, and chants, Harambee! includes time for a visitor from the community to inspire and share the magic of books with our scholars. Guest readers can bring their own book or they will have a selection for you to choose from. Guest readers read for 5-7 minutes, then spend a few minutes answering questions about the book or themselves. 

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