Pitney Bowes encourages kids to read at Einstein Elementary School event
Published 4:08 pm Tuesday, August 20, 2013
“Share the Message: READ” is a program Pitney Bowes has participated in for several years. Sue Tag, a service delivery manager with Pitney Bowes on the Microsoft campus, helped coordinate this special day recently at Einstein Elementary School. She worked with the school librarian Anne Sandbo, who stepped in to help with this fun event for the students.
“It’s sponsored by Reading is Fundamental and funded by the Pitney Bowes Foundation. We come to a school and spend an hour with a classroom of elementary age students in grades kindergarten through fifth grades. We read a book aloud, do a craft that relates to the book and give every child an age-appropriate book to take home,” Tag said.
Pitney Bowes volunteers spent as much one-on-one time as possible with each child during the event along with several Einstein staff members.
Sandbo added: “What stood out for me was watching the kids working together on sharing the beads they were using during the craft time. The beads were used to make the words they wanted for their bracelets. The boys were so proud and hot on the trails to find the letters S, C and R to spell the word soccer and the girls were looking for the letters B and F for ‘best friends forever.’ At the end of the program, the kids had the opportunity to choose a free book to take home. Their smiles said it all!”
Einstein Principal Melissa Pointer said the summer school program is one of many things Einstein does to ensure that all students leave the school prepared for middle school. In addition to this program, they offer before- and after-school instruction for students not at standard in reading and math. They also provide support during the school day in the form of flexible small-group instruction in these subjects.
“This unique opportunity allows students to participate in flexible skills groups at their ability level. Those students needing to be challenged beyond grade-level material are provided instruction to achieve their personal goal and those that need extra support are provided the support needed to be successful,” Pointer said.
Pointer added that Einstein’s student body includes students representing more than 30 different languages. Volunteers are needed throughout the school year to help students with reading, writing and math.
If anyone is interested in volunteering at Einstein Elementary or another Lake Washington School District (LWSD) school, contact LINKS program coordinator Nanci Wehr at nwehr@lwsd.org or by calling (425) 936-1410. LINKS in a district-wide volunteer program that encourages and engages community volunteers to share their time in LWSD schools. To learn more about LINKS and how to get involved, visit www.lwsd.orglinks.
