For the past decade, Community Schools of Frankfort’s Reading Champions program has supported third-grade students by strengthening reading skills and building confidence through one-on-one mentorship. The program began in 2014 after Farmers Bank reached out to the district to ask how it could support local schools. At the same time, Indiana’s IREAD-3 assessment was being introduced, and district leaders wanted to ensure students were prepared. According to Lesley Miller, CSF Director of Student Achievement, “A focus on developing a love of reading has always been the focus of the program. When students develop an identity as a reader, they in turn read more, thus improving achievement.” Reading Champions first launched at Green Meadows, with Farmers Bank allowing employees an hour of release time each week to mentor students. As the program expanded, it grew to include Suncrest and welcomed additional community partners, increasing its reach while maintaining its focus on third-grade readers.
Today, Reading Champions serves about 24 students at Green Meadows and Suncrest, with participants selected by classroom teachers. Mentors meet with one student each week from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m., with sessions held on Tuesdays at Green Meadows and Wednesdays at Suncrest. Each school provides a designated space where mentors and students read together and talk about books, allowing relationships to develop over the course of the year. Volunteers come from many areas of the community, including Farmers Bank, Rotary Club, retired teachers, Healthy Communities, Frankfort Library, district administration, clergy, and others. Many mentors have been involved since the program’s early years, and the results continue to show the impact of these connections. “Last year, 100% of our Reading Champions passed the Indiana-mandated IREAD test,” said Michelle Wolfe, CSF Director of Title One.
Volunteers say the relationships built through Reading Champions are just as meaningful as the academic progress. Stephanie Buntin, AVP Senior Financial Analyst with The Farmers Bank, has volunteered since the program began. “I have been a mentor with the program since we started the program in 2014. I also help to organize volunteers for The Farmers Bank,” she said. “I have had a passion for working with kids and this was another avenue that I could do that. Each year, it is amazing to see the impact that we have as we watch the kids develop throughout the year. There are many of us at The Farmers Bank that look forward to the start of the new school year when we begin reading again.” Lorra Archibald, Executive Director of Healthy Communities of Clinton County, has volunteered at Suncrest for several years and shared a similar perspective. “I have been doing it for at least 7 years! Reading Champions combines two of my favorite things…reading and volunteering! I hope that through this program, I not only help my mentee become a better reader, but also instill in him/her a life-long passion for reading!” Community members interested in volunteering are encouraged to become Reading Champions and support local third-grade readers. Please contact Lesley Miller, Director of Student Achievement, at 654-5585 or millerl@frankfort.k12.in.us for more information on how you or your organization can get involved to support our Frankfort Reading Champions!