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Schools need reading volunteers for SMART By Tony Boom More than 1,100 volunteers are needed in 24 schools to read one hour a week to kindergartners through third-graders in a program which aims to improve reading skills and to boost learning . SMART � Start Making A Reader Today � is training volunteers through October to read at elementary schools in Jackson and Josephine counties. The program is always in need of volunteers. "We have a strong return rate, but we are always expanding," said Cameron McCandless, SMART area manager. This year 1,145 volunteers are needed. New schools in the program are Walker and Lincoln in Ashland, Mae Richardson in Central Point, Lake Creek Learning Center and Griffin Creek in Medford. Schools with at least 40 percent of their students enrolled in the federally subsidized school program are served first, but other local schools also participate. The federal program level is regarded as an indicator of general educational need, said McCandless. Children in SMART are selected by their teacher, and SMART readers coordinate their efforts with the teacher. Teachers generally like SMART because the individual child gets one-on-one attention from the reader and it also decreases the number of other students the teacher must work with, said McCandless. SMART is a private, nonprofit program supported by grants, some from local organizations. Former Gov. Neil Goldschmidt and Oregon business leaders started the statewide program. More than 60 area businesses and organizations and 175 individuals have contributed funds to help with the cost of purchasing books and operating the program. Sixteen area businesses grant release time to their employees to participate one hour per week. More than 15,000 books will be given to student participants to take home and keep. Volunteers will read for nearly 33,000 hours during the year. While volunteers are frequently grandparents or parents, high school students are also welcome. Each volunteer reads to two students for a half hour a week. Different volunteers read to the same students on another day during the week. Volunteers need to commit to the program through May 2001. People who travel at times can participate through a team approach, said McCandless. Background checks are performed on volunteers. Training sessions last about one hour and 15 minutes and are being held throughout October. For information and to volunteer, call 734-5628. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.