HIGHLIGHTS: FEEL THE LOVE…FOREST OF READING…ANSWERS TO TWO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT RECORD BOOKS…LOVE FOR LITERACY MONTH…DATES TO REMEMBER

FEEL THE LOVE

Recently, a child in VRP told a volunteer that she was “the best reading teacher he had ever had!” That’s a wonderful thing to hear from a reluctant reader who is still working on their letter sounds.  We hear about this kind of appreciation often.  Schools will email to share how valued and impactful the volunteers are in their school.  Here is a recent message that says it all:

We appreciate and are grateful for the support of each and every one of the volunteers here at Derrydown. We are happy you can gift our students the gift of time, to read with them, and I am certain they too appreciate the time you take to flip and read every page. It does take a village to raise a child, and we are grateful for your support.  Thank you all for being a part of our proverbial village!   

 Vice-Principal Michaela Avram, Derrydown

FOREST OF READING

Thank you Kelly Pollock (volunteer at McGregor) for reminding us about the Forest of Reading books that are available in most school libraries.  The Blue Spruce nominees are for children ages 4-7.  Kelly said the two pictured here were a huge hit adding:

“The dinosaur book is fantastic and kids making connections all throughPatty Dreams really great as it’s in Toronto and the kids recognize the scenery, the theme and it's Black History month. Very topical.”

ANSWERS TO TWO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT RECORD BOOKS

What do we do with the Record Book if a child leaves the school?

If you know the child is leaving ahead of time, please try to get their record book to them.  If they leave and the book is left behind (and still in good shape) please remove the used pages and put on a new label so it can be used for another child.

What do we do with the Record Book if a child is taken out of VRP because they have improved or the teacher moved someone else into the program?

Every child who takes part in VRP for 5 or more sessions (and feels like they are a part of VRP) receives their Record Book as part of the VRP Graduation.  These year end celebrations recognize their effort over their time in VRP.  Children receive a personalized certificate and brand new book too!

LOVE FOR LITERACY MONTH

As you know, Love for Literacy Month is the one time a year where VRP asks friends and supporters to make a donation in support of the work you do each week.  What newer volunteers may not know is that VRP is a small non-profit organization; we are not affiliated with the TDSB.  Independent financial contributions are what help sustain and grow the program ~ and keep the bins full of stickers!  VRP is very grateful to UpOnline Digital Marketing for donating their time and energy to create our amazing eblast which went out last week.

DATES TO REMEMBER

School is closed Friday, February 13 and Monday, February 16 for Family Day long weekend. 

March Break is coming up and schools are closed Monday, March 16-Friday, March 20.

Spring Term Schedules are in the works so please keep your reading dates in mind.  Spring Term of VRP runs Monday, March 23 – Friday, May 15.  Graduations happen at the end of May and early June.