Students from the W.L. Seaton Rotary Club decided they wanted to make a difference by encouraging young readers in the area.
The club fundraised and purchased books to donate to kindergarten students at their feeder elementary schools: Alexis Park and Harwood.
“It is no secret that avid readers transfer their literacy skills to their ability to learn,” said Kevin Yapps, a Seaton teacher and facilitator of the school Rotary club. “We live in a society that uses literacy as a vehicle to communicate. Reading and writing are tools that are used to help individuals make sense of the world that surrounds them.”
The Seaton group learned about a project that gives little books to children. The publications are small, easy-to-read and have simple words, simple pictures and repetitive text. Through the program, children receive a package with a little book, as well as instructions for parents, a few times throughout the year.
“Students who shared the little books with their parents daily were able to recognize more words and some even learned to read them,” said Yapps.
The Seaton Rotary group hopes that this gift will bring joy to these children and parents, and strengthen community ties.
Seaton’s focus is to make this initiative an ongoing project for years to come. To achieve that, the Rotary Club is actively seeking grants and donations to continue this project.
Anyone interested in supporting this program can contact Yapps by e-mailing kyapps@sd22.bc.ca
