Like many youngsters facing a law enforcement representative, students at Middle Ridge Elementary in Covington were a bit reserved during their initial meeting with Donna Barlow, assistant to the city’s police chief. But this encounter was all about learning and reading, and it didn’t take Barlow long to win over six first and second graders.
“In the first couple of minutes they were a bit unsure, but within five minutes they were warming up,” said Barlow. “Sometimes just giving them some special one-on-one brings them out.”
Several weeks ago, the city launched a six-week pilot program that paired its employees with at-risk readers at Middle Ridge. Barlow, who once worked for the area school district, knew first-hand the value of having adult support in the classroom and signed up to spend time each week playing reading games with kids who need a bit more attention.
“I can come in and give them something different to do, like playing a game around words and reading,” she said. “Sometimes these kids get embarrassed in a large crowd, but they’re less intimidated when they’re in a small group.
The spotlight was put on reading after Loucy Hay, who chairs the Newton Education Foundation that engages community and private support for the county school district, met with the Middle Ridge principal.
“She said what she needed was people to help these children learn how to read,” said Hay. “The children have had lots of opportunities through additional resources and curriculum enhancements, but that has not met their needs. In addition, we picked Middle Ridge because it’s the most transient school in our community, and it’s in close proximity to city hall, so employees could get there within five or six minutes.”
The partnership also put the extra help where it’s needed most, said Hay. “It’s a relationship money can’t buy. So often, public/private partnerships have evolved to become monetary relationships, but sometimes the schools just need manpower. That’s why we’re trying to do it a different way, by having city employees sit with these children and read, and help them get up to speed. And it’s not just about reading: We know if children are proficient readers by the end of third grade, they’re more likely to become productive adults and stay out of the judicial system.”
Twenty-six volunteers signed up for the program’s first three weeks; another 24 pitched in for the second.
“The mayor, the police chief, the fire chief, police officers and everybody in between has signed up to be a tutor,” said Hay. “They were behind the program from the beginning, and I’m convinced that’s why it’s working.”
Covington police investigator Kara Hipps grew up in the community and immediately stepped up to volunteer when she heard about the program. She’s spent an hour every Wednesday working with the same group of students.
“The first time I went, we went over sight-word games that let them win ‘Mustang Bucks’ – money they can use to buy things from the school store,” said Hipps. “We had a great time. They’re learning, and they really want to win those bucks!”
Reports from the school’s teachers and principal indicate that the extra tutoring is helping students make significant strides, said Hay.
“The early data say it really works, and teachers can’t believe the progress students are making in their reading levels,” said Hay. “Now other teachers are asking for the same help. We’re hoping this model can be replicated by other businesses so we can provide more volunteers in other schools in the community.”
Information about Middle Ridge Elementary: newtoncountyschools.org/middle_ridge.
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