Washington Reading Corps

Armin Jahr Elementary

The Washington Reading Corps (WRC) is a statewide service program started in 1998 as a partnership between the Governor's Office, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and the Washington Service Corps (WSC)/AmeriCorps Program. The WSC recruits and provides teams of committed AmeriCorps members to elementary schools in six counties in Western Washington to assist struggling readers improve and gain confidence in their reading skills and to promote literacy in the home.

The mission of the Washington Reading Corps at Armin Jahr Elementary is to improve the reading abilities of our K-5th grade students through research-based tutoring of struggling readers and effective collaborations with other Bremerton schools, families, community members, local businesses, and state partners.

What do our Volunteer Tutors do?

Tutor Responsibilities Include:

1. Meeting with Kindergarten through fifth grade students (K-5) and helping them become better readers by encouraging them to read words, sentences, paragraphs, and stories aloud and cheering them on to be confident about their skills and accomplishments.
2. Assisting students, one at a time or in small groups, to work on supplemental lessons in reading workbooks appropriate for each grade.
3. Recording time spent with each student, the materials covered, & activities completed on session-reporting forms (which will be used to track student development).
4. Acting as a positive role model for your students, earning their respect and adoration, and being greatly appreciated by teachers and parents alike!

Who should be a Volunteer?

We are currently looking for volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience, including peer tutors (middle school and high school students), senior citizens, and community groups. Tutor training is provided, & no experience working with children is required. Simply, we are looking for dedicated, caring volunteers who can give as little as 30 minutes of their time each week in order to positively influence a student's growth and academic achievement.

What are the Benefits of Volunteering?

There are many personal and professional benefits to volunteering with the Washington Reading Corps at Armin Jahr Elementary, including:

• Free Training
• Flexible Scheduling. You choose the grade, the number of students, and the time that works best for your schedule.
• It is a valuable Experience for future teachers, educators, and childcare workers.
• It can be used as a Reference for scholarship, college, and job applications.
• You will be Honored and Appreciated at Armin Jahr Community Events as part of the Armin Jahr Family.
• YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD'S LIFE!

How to Get Involved:

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer tutor with the Washington Reading Corps at Armin Jahr Elementary, if you are a member of an organization looking for community involvement opportunities, or if you know someone who would be a good fit for our program:

• Call 360.473.4100 (The Armin Jahr Front Desk) & ask to speak to a Washington Reading Corps Representative.
• Call 360.473.4187 (The WRC Office) and ask to speak to the WRC/AmeriCorps member in charge of Volunteer Recruitment and Training.
• Email the Washington Reading Corps office at: arminjahrwrc@gmail.com

Photo: © 2007 Corporation for National and Community Service, Office of Public Affairs. AmeriCorps Week 2007 photo submission. Courtesy of the CNCS Photo Office.

• Volunteer Match This website lists all current on-site and virtual volunteer opportunities with the Washington Reading Corps at Armin Jahr Elementary and connects you to other non-profit organizations and volunteer opportunities in the Bremerton community and beyond.
• Kitsap Regional Library The KRL has lots of great information and activities for students and parents, including a book club for kids, live homework help, story time, and useful links for parents.
• The Florida Center for Reading Research: Student Center Activities This website provides free, downloadable files for literacy games, grade levels K-5. These games promote development in each of the major reading components: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Fluency. These free games are a great way to get the whole family excited about reading!
• PBS--Ready to Learn! The Ready to Learn Initiative creates engaging television, games, websites, and easy-to-use learning resources for parents, caregivers, and kids (with a focus on ages 2--8).
• Community Youth Services This non-profit organization oversees the Washington Reading Corps programs in Bremerton. If you have volunteered with a WRC school and are interested in volunteering full-time as an AmeriCorps member, you will find information about the application process. This website also includes information on the volunteer living allowance, educational funding/support, and benefits available to full-time AmeriCorps volunteers.