Annual Report-2023-24 - Flipbook - Page 9
The partnership has been bene昀椀cial not only for the students but also for the volunteers.
Rhea Muchalla-LeGrande, Execu琀椀ve Director of Lead to Read, underscores how the program enriches
students and mentors alike. Many volunteers 昀椀nd the experience rewarding in unexpected ways, forging
deep connec琀椀ons with their mentees and feeling a sense of ful昀椀llment from their e昀昀orts. Minaj Chapell,
another volunteer, describes how the program allowed her to reconnect with her community, making a
tangible di昀昀erence in students’ lives while engaging with a cause she was passionate about.
As the partnership con琀椀nues to 昀氀ourish, there is growing excitement about expanding the program to
reach more students across di昀昀erent grades and schools. Principal Pughsley wants to explore addi琀椀onal
support structures, such as before and a昀琀ercare reading sessions, to target key growth areas like 昀氀uency.
These e昀昀orts align with a broader goal to improve literacy rates across the district, especially for early
readers who will bene昀椀t most from these interven琀椀ons.
“
The commitment is just half an hour each week, but it makes a huge di昀昀erence.
-Minaj Chapell, Reading Mentor
Ul琀椀mately, the partnership between Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools and Lead to Read is an
inspiring example of how community collabora琀椀on can empower students and build a brighter future.
Through this joint e昀昀ort, literacy is being transformed from a challenge into an opportunity for
growth, connec琀椀on, and leadership, bene昀椀琀椀ng not just the students but the en琀椀re community. And
it’s the support and involvement of community members, poten琀椀al volunteers, educators, and local
organiza琀椀ons that make this partnership so impac琀昀ul and successful.
KCKPS PARTNER HIGHLIGHT
Lead to Read KC connects trusted, caring adult volunteers called Reading Mentors with students
in 昀椀rst through third grade, providing students in high-need schools with 30 minutes of one-toone reading and mentoring support each week. The program supports the founda琀椀onal social,
emo琀椀onal, and reading skills for student success.
A CLOSER LOOK
Lead to Read KC’s Impact
in the Community
View a video: Mauricio Bernal has
a Lead to Read Story to Tell!
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