STILL SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!BELL GRANT…HAPPY READERS…HAPPY VOLUNTEERS…REACH EVERY READER…GREAT BOOKS…

A GENEROUS GRANT FROM BELL CANADA, THANKS TO 3 VRP VOLUNTEERS!

Volunteer Avis Favaro (Birch Cliff Heights) alerted us to Bell Canada grants for registered Canadian charities where 3 current or retired employees volunteered in 2024 for at least 30 hours (collectively). Former Bell employees Anna Homem (Oakridge) and Angie Knowles (Parkdale) subsequently joined Avis in successfully applying for this Team Grant! The entire VRP team is now celebrating a $3,000 grant from Bell’s Giving Program. Huge thanks to Avis, Anna and Angie!

HAPPY LITTLE READERS ACROSS THE GTA

The majority of schools are back to reading and as of the 21st VRP will be busy reading with our happy little readers in 28 VRP Locations.  Thank you for your patience, your willingness to learn about VRP and for referring your friends.

HAPPY VOLUNTEERS IN THE SCHOOLS

Every week and every VRP session is different.  Sometimes there are hiccups, other days are as smooth as the lake at dawn but there is one thing that doesn’t change: VRP volunteers love being back in the schools.  Kristina gets proof in her daily emails:

“I loved my first day as a reader! The other volunteer, Banaz, was super helpful and we had a good time together. Only 2 readers (there was a special exercise program that day that coincided with our reading time) but it allowed me time to figure out what I was doing. Friendly staff and awesome little Grade 1's.”

Martha Bartley (Vradenberg)

“Today was my first day back at Flemington.  It was heartwarming to be welcomed back with big smiles and hugs by both the teachers. What could be more rewarding than to see all the familiar little ones from former years and have them come up and ask me if I remembered them.  The principal also thanked us profusely for our help and told us how much we were needed.  Talk about a great day!”

Helen Foss (Flemington)  *volunteer since 2013!

REACH EVERY READER

Volunteers are enjoying the book that Marjie shared in the Training Workshops.  Susan Lawrence (Highland Heights) sent this comment:

I am reading Reach Every Reader and as a former teacher (Bio not literacy) I find the learning insights and discussion of explicit instruction really interesting.

Others are borrowing the book from Kristina so they can “keep my skill set fresh – you can do quite a bit in the 30 min VRP session if kids stay focused”

VRP has copies available for you to borrow.  Please get in touch with Kristina to make arrangements.

GREAT BOOKS

Some great books to add to your storybook bins or borrow from the local library are: 

1. The Press Start Series by Thomas Flintham (Scholastics)

2. Henry Books by Robert Quackenbush-Marjie Calla’s favourite;  Henry's Awful Mistake

Stay tuned to NEWS for a full list of VRP favourites in the weeks to come.  If you have titles or authors that are very popular please use the form below to email Kristina for NEWS!