DPSCD will host important information sessions for volunteers interested in helping improve student reading skills through the Let's Read program.

All volunteers are encouraged to attend an upcoming information session:

• Wednesday, January 30 | 5 - 7 p.m. | Detroit Public Library - Main Branch, Explorer Room
• Wednesday, Febraury 6  | 9 - 11 a.m. | Adult Education Center - East
• Wednesday, February 13 | 5 - 7 p.m. | Detroit Public Library - Main Branch, Explorer Room
• Wednesday, February 27 | 9 - 11 a.m. | Detroit Collegiate Prep @ Northwestern, PD Center

Call (313) 879-7884 or visit detroitk12.org/letsread to sign up today!

Read below for the official Let's Read announcement:

DETROIT – Jan. 16, 2019 – Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) announced its Let’s Read program, designed to support struggling readers in grades K-3. The program implementation was sparked by long-time community activist Helen Moore to partner with the District by providing reading intervention and support for its early learners with the help of community volunteers.

“We cannot place all of the burden of ensuring our students are successful on our teachers, principals, schools and District,” said Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, DPSCD. “We must open our doors to support in an aligned and strategic way. This is a literacy call to action for the city to embrace and help our students to succeed by volunteering. I am thankful to Ms. Moore for stepping up to support the District.”

Let’s Read volunteers will work with assigned students in kindergarten through third-grade to build the foundational skills of literacy, after a short training session. Each child and volunteer will be given a workbook that matches the student’s unique needs as identified through a literacy diagnostic assessment. The volunteer will work with the assigned student(s) to complete pages in a workbook, either one-on-one or in small groups. To foster an environment where children can view reading as a life-long, empowering process, students will choose their own books based on their interests. Volunteers will then assist with reading and tracking student progress in their DPSCD Let’s Read planner.

Since December, nearly 60 Family Literacy Nights were hosted at DPSCD schools to provide families access to free books and inspire a cultural of literacy at home – in preparation for the state’s Read by Grade Three Law. Volunteer today by taking the first step; complete the interest survey at http://bit.ly/DPSCDletsread. Candidates will also be required to complete a free background check and attend a training workshop. The District will begin trainings next month for those interested.

The District, through Dr. Vitti and Board Member Dr. Hunter- Harvill, will lead a discussion of what the Read by Grade Three Law means for DPSCD families, students, and staff on January 16 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Mackenzie Elementary-Middle School.

For more information on the Let’s Read program, visit detroitk12.org/letsread.

About Detroit Public Schools Community District
Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is the Michigan’s largest public education system located in Detroit. It is governed by a locally-elected, seven-member board with Dr. Nikolai Vitti serving as superintendent. The District’s goal is to provide every student with a beneficial and rightful educational experience, preparing students to be career and college ready, and qualified to compete in the global market. The District has 106 schools and educates 50,000 children.

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