Ready, set, READ!

Small group sizes is one of the benefits of the Colfax-Mingo Elementary summer reading program. This year more than ever that makes a difference in being able to provide the service for students in preschool through sixth grade.

“This program we always meet in really small groups ... Either one to one with the teacher or I think right now no more than two in a group,” C-M Elementary School Principal Brian Summy said.

After school was cut off two and a half months early, the program is more important than ever for students in need of a boost. Students typically come in for their 45-minute sessions five days a week and the groups are kept small while they work on their reading skills.

Currently, the program will operate as it has in the past but additional safety protocols could be put into place by the school board. If that were to take place, those participating will be notified.

“We just don’t have the details for the safety protocols yet which will be coming ... I think there is going to be some things we will have going but we are just still waiting for approval from the school board for that stuff,” Summy said.

While almost every aspect of life has been altered in some way due to the ongoing pandemic, the hopes are that when kids begin the program Monday and work on skills such as letter sounds, identification or fluency, that some level of normalcy can be felt during these times.

“Normal has been a lot different than it has been in the past so I think this is kind of that opportunity to get back to what our normal summer reading program would look like so I think that is one exciting thing,” Summy said. “Just giving them that little bit of jump start as we get ready for the upcoming school year. That has really been the priority of it.”

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com