Friends,

It takes an entire community to transform public education. Residents, businesses and organizations from across Providence are enlisting in our effort to provide every child in our city with a first-class education.

Last night, more than 75 parents, teachers, students and bilingual volunteers gathered for a meet-and-greet to kick off Leyendo, an initiative at Carl Lauro Elementary School to teach literacy skills to students who are not reading on grade level and speak a language other than English at home.

Leyendo, named after the Spanish word for reading, is an important part of our ambitious goal to boost the number of students reading on grade level by the end of third grade to 70 percent by 2015.

In 2011, only 46 percent of Providence students entering fourth grade were reading on grade level. At the same time, children who speak a language other than English at home represent almost half of all students in the Providence Public School District, with Spanish language speakers making up the overwhelming majority.

We have targeted grade-level reading by the end of third grade because third grade marks the point when children must master learning to read so they can start reading to learn. Research shows that students who are not reading on grade level by the end of third grade are much more likely in future years to fall behind in class, drop out of school and struggle in other areas of their lives.

At Carl Lauro last night, Principal Linda Reigelman welcomed the parents of second and third graders and talked about the importance of students learning a second language and reading proficiently.

A slide show of volunteers working with students from the program's first two weeks played in the background as students excitedly recognized themselves in the photos on the screen. It was a great beginning to a program that holds much promise for our children.

We invite you to join us in our effort to ensure that every child in Providence reads proficiently by the end of third grade. Leyendo is still recruiting bilingual volunteers who can tutor and mentor students for at least two hours a week for one year.

To apply, please contact Lindsey Spenser at lspenser@inspiringmindsri.org or Brandi Jackson at bjackson@inspiringmindsri.org.

Sincerely,

Angel Taveras
Mayor

Providence Accepting Proposals for Summer Neighborhood Performing Arts Initiative »

City of Providence Accepting Dexter Donation Grant Applications Until February 22 »

Providence Schools Offers Kindergarten Registration »

About the Overnight Parking Program »

Get Free Access to Neighborhood Crime Data with CrimeReports.com
Available also as an iPhone app »