City Joins MCCSC's Community Partners in Reading Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2006

For more information, contact:
Daniel Grundmann, Director, Employee Services, City of Bloomington, 349-3578
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569

Bloomington, IN -- Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today a new initiative to further both Community Condition and Collaborations. To enhance the learning experience of area youth, City of Bloomington employees are participating with the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) in the school district's Community Partners in Reading program.

"This is a great opportunity for the City to become involved more deeply in the education of our community's young people," Kruzan said. "Our employees contribute their time and energies to helping youth succeed in school, and are rewarded with seeing how their efforts positively impact students' enthusiasm and reading abilities."

The City has dedicated 27 employees as partner participants to the program at Fairview and Templeton Elementary schools.

"I highly recommend this experience for any organization," said Daniel Grundmann, SPHR, Director of the City's Employee Services Department. "It is so satisfying watching the kids progress and it gives staff a feeling of really contributing in ways beyond what they do every day to further the programs and services of City government."

The Community Partners in Reading program was developed in 2005 by literacy specialists in the MCCSC to help struggling second graders reach their reading potential before entering third grade. Research indicates that students who cannot read at grade level by the third grade continue to fall behind for the remainder of their academic career. The City is one of several local organizations that have participated in the program.

"MCCSC is thrilled with the City of Bloomington's commitment to the Community Partners in Reading program," said Deb Prenkert, Title I Specialist with MCCSC. "Daniel Grundmann did an amazing job recruiting so many City employees to work with us! We appreciate the time they give each week to help second grade students learn to read. They are making a difference in the lives of children."

The program provides each student with individual reading instruction four days per week. Students are paired with a community partner who works with them on a reading lesson planned by a reading specialist. During the course of each 30-minute period that students work with their partner, they will read a leveled book, work on a vocabulary exercise and play a comprehension game.

Next semester, the MCCSC will be extending the Community Partners in Reading program to Summit Elementary School and will be seeking 40 additional volunteers. For more information or to get involved, please contact Prenkert at 812-330-7700 ext. 3461.