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Published on 09/15/1999 All articles from this issue

Volunteer reading program expands to Oak School

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By Linda Taaffe / Town Crier Staff Writer

Schools Roundup

os Altos students lagging behind in their reading skills can expect a literacy boost this year through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, which has expanded its Literacy Program to Oak School.

The program, launched two years ago as a pilot in Palo Alto schools, matches volunteers with students in grades 1-3 who don't qualify for special education, but who are struggling with their reading skills.

Los Altos resident Duane Stauffer, who helped spearhead the program, is one of seven volunteers who were scheduled to begin working one-on-one with Oak students this week.

"You don't typically think kids in Los Altos need help. But no matter how well a class scores, there are always kids who need help," Stauffer said. "(Volunteering) is a very rewarding experience. I had one youngster in the second grade who was really struggling ... Within the first year, he went from the bottom of his class to grade level. The next year, he was one of the stand-out students in class."

Stauffer said most students are reccommended to the program by school principals and teachers. He said tutoring sessions are tailored to fit each student's particular needs. Each volunteer typcially meets one-on-one with a student during the school day for about 30 minutes, twice a week.

About 40 of the 500 local residents who volunteer for the government-sponosred Retired and Senior program currently work in the Literacy Program.

Community members 55 years or older and retired who are interested in attending an orientation and training session for the Literacy Program Oct. 5 at Avenidas, 450 Bryant St., in Palo Alto need to RSVP by Oct. 4 at 326-5362.

IN BRIEF: The following teachers were recently named 1999 "Teachers of the Year" for Santa Clara County: Michael Ahern, Mountain View/Los Altos Union High School District; Chris Kenison, Fremont Union High School District; Jim Grijalva, Los Altos School District; Diane Claypool, Mountain View School District; and Susan Walden, Whisman School District. They will be honored at 7 p.m., Sept. 27 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. Colleen B. Wilcox, superintendent of Santa Clara County Office of Education, was named California Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.