Retirement News : Seniors : Seniors adopt young readers

Seniors adopt young readers

Date Added: 29-03-2005

SOUTH LYON -- Each week when kindergartner Andrew Sokolik reads with his adoptive reader, he gets a warm feeling thinking of his grandmother.

That's because Andrew, 5, is one of the 200 students each year in the Adopt a Reader program, in which adult volunteers help young children learn to read. Nearly half of the volunteers in the program are senior citizens.

"She reminds me of my grandma up north because my grandma's old, and she's old and they both read me stories," said Andrew, a student at Brummer Elementary School.

He added that he enjoys the time she spends reading books and playing games to help him learn to read.

Besides helping in the Adopt a Reader program in the South Lyon district, seniors volunteer for other work in the schools. At Bartlett Elementary, some do everything from checking out books to repairing books, processing new books, laminating materials for classrooms, entering data into computers and assisting in classrooms.

Janet Head, media specialist at Bartlett, said some volunteers have dedicated more than 16 years.

"The one thing that is nice is the ladies help out at the checkout desk, and there's that one-on-one where the children have that little bit of interaction, and that is special," Head said.

She said the seniors make the library a better place, not only because of the behind-the-scenes jobs that they do, but also because they bring warmth to the library.

"I want the students to feel that this is a welcoming place in the school," Head said. "I want them to see the library as a lifelong learning center, and my seniors help to add to that feeling of it being a welcoming place."

At Carpenter Elementary in Orion Township, teacher Jean Brady said her advanced math students get a treat each week working with a retired engineer, who challenges their math skills.

"He is marvelous because his rapport with the students is outstanding," Brady said. "They respect him, and he always tries to challenge them with a little something different. He always brings in some real-life experience. And, at the end of the school year, we use him for help in an enrichment program, where we rotate the majority of the students because they all enjoy having him around."

She said Joe Kuszewski volunteers two half-days a week to give students that challenge.

Having some extra time on his hands, he found out there was a need for tutors and other volunteers at the school.

"It's been a wonderful experience for me, and I plan to continue to do it as long as my health is good and as long as I'm wanted," said Kuszewski.

It makes his day to see the light bulb go off in the students' heads when they understand the concept or problem.

"They are realizing math isn't just two plus two equals four," he said. "They know that math has practical application, such as in physics."

Vivian Buckler has been volunteering for four years as a reader.

"I love children, and I get along very well with them," she said. "As I got older, I wanted something to do that would keep my mind as sharp as possible. I thought this would benefit me as well as the children. Whenever a child accomplishes something like seeing a letter that they know, or read a book, I feel like I've helped them accomplish it."

Susan Cummings, coordinator for the Adopt a Reader program in South Lyon, said the interaction between the students in kindergarten through third grade and their senior readers is invaluable.

"Most of my volunteers that come from the senior community are friends of those already volunteering, and they are looking for a meaningful experience, and our program provides that for them," Cummings said.

Most volunteers devote one hour one day a week.

"Most of them really know how important reading is, and they want that opportunity to foster their love of learning with the children that they work with," she said.

Buckler plays reading games with children as well as reads stories to and with them.

"We have a lot to give because we are more patient, and we are not rushed," she added. "Most of us don't have families to run home to. The children help us fill a void. Being with children keeps you young and on your toes."

Connie Wickersham, director for the Center for Active Adults, which is attached to South Lyon High School, said the location of the building and the relationship with the school district ties the senior citizens to the students. Teachers contact her when they are in need of volunteers.

"It's a win-win situation because it is great for the students since they are being tutored and for the seniors because they feel fulfilled that someone has a need and that they can give back to their community or a school," Wickersham said. "Once they start this program, they keep coming back every year because it is really fulfilling for them."

For More Information:

http://www.detnews.com/2005/schools/0503/28/C04-130508.htm