A ongoing collaboration between the Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society (LASS) and a local business continues to support Valid readers.
Now in its sixth year, LASS and Valid Manufacturing Ltd.'s after school program Valid Reading Time is helping foster a love of reading in young students.
"This free, engaging, and impactful initiative is designed specifically for children in Grades 3 to 5 who benefit from additional literacy support," reads a joint media release. "Over the years, Valid Reading Time has created meaningful change in the lives of young readers, with a clear mission: to provide lasting literacy impact to children across the community."
In the last school year, the program was delivered at Hillcrest Elementary in Salmon Arm and Parkview Elementary in Sicamous, with 25 students participating in the twice-a-week sessions. Those provided a fun, welcoming and structured environment that supported reading confidence, comprehension and connection to real-life experiences.
Through the program, kids participated in guided reading practices, word games and interactive storytelling, life-skill literacy activities, and field trips to help unlock the wonderful world of books.
Teachers participating in the initiative have also confirmed its benefits to struggling readers.
"The Valid Reading Program is a safe, fun space where students grow as readers and writers. Many start out unsure or even scared to take a chance at reading, but through engaging activities, they build confidence, make new friends, and discover how reading connects to everyday life," one teacher said. "During the program, you can see the difference it is making ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½“ their confidence grows, and so does their excitement to participate. By the end, they've strengthened important skills that they can carry back into the classroom."
The program's success is a credit to the team that includes literacy outreach coordinator Thomas Briginshaw, and children's programming coordinators Terra Stephenson and Kristy Cruikshank, who collaborated closely with School District 83 to organize logistics.
Going forward, Valid Reading Time will run again this school year, with plans to expand into additional schools as the partnership continues "lighting the path toward literacy for hundreds of local students ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½“ one book at a time."
