Annual Report-2023-24 - Flipbook - Page 8
Lead to Read volunteer Canika Davis and Banneker
Elementary Student (Photo by Lead to Read)
BUILDING FUTURES: THE THRIVING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND LEAD TO READ
The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools district and the Lead to Read organiza琀椀on have fostered a
thriving partnership dedicated to improving literacy and building connec琀椀ons between students and the
community. This collabora琀椀on, aimed at eleva琀椀ng literacy rates and nurturing personal growth, re昀氀ects a
shared commitment to the future of Kansas City, Kansas students.
Lead to Read operates several impac琀昀ul programs, the 昀氀agship being the reading mentorship program.
Volunteers from across the city, whether full-琀椀me employees, re琀椀rees, or local community members,
dedicate just 30 minutes each week to reading
with students in the district. This small-琀椀me
investment yields signi昀椀cant rewards, as seen in
the posi琀椀ve outcomes for students involved in
the program. Studies have shown that students
who par琀椀cipate in Lead to Read, especially those
needing addi琀椀onal literacy support, signi昀椀cantly
improve their reading skills, con昀椀dence, and
overall academic performance.
At the heart of this partnership is a focus on
rela琀椀onship-building. Mentors not only guide
students through the joys of reading but also
Reading mentor Charde Stephenson reads to a
provide personal support and encouragement.
Bannaker Elementary student
Rose Eilts, a Lead to Read volunteer, highlights
the importance of community involvement in fostering students’ literacy and sense of belonging. Rose
describes how the partnership with KCKPS schools, such as Whi琀�er Elementary, creates a suppor琀椀ve
environment for students to grow both academically and emo琀椀onally. Principal Pughsley of Banneker
Elementary also emphasizes the vital role that reading mentors play in enhancing student con昀椀dence.
By allowing students to select books that interest them and providing feedback in a relaxed se琀�ng, the
program helps students like Zamiya, a once-reserved 昀椀rst grader, grow into con昀椀dent leaders, inspiring
hope for the future.
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