Fall 2008

West Side Church in Richland has stepped up in a big way to help Marcus Whitman Elementary School. For the past two years, 40 members of the congregation have tutored students in reading and provided them with breakfast.

"It's a meaningful partnership," says Paul Dann, Marcus Whitman principal. "The church members care about these students and are showing it in a tangible way."

The 25 students arrive at the church on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:30. The Tuesday sessions are one-on-one with students reading to their mentors. Small group learning (photo above) takes place on Thursdays.

At 8:10, the church provides breakfast along with an adult volunteer who reads a story out loud. The students are then escorted the two blocks to Marcus Whitman for the start of the school day.

"The tutors are overseen by state certified teachers from the West Side congregation," explain Ken and Karen Gasper, co-directors of the West Side Tutoring Program. "The church purchased curriculum materials from the same company which provides the school materials. Students are receiving consistent instruction throughout the day."

And what are the results? Is the before school program making a difference in the students' reading abilities?

"A majority of the students achieved grade level by the end of the school year," adds Dann. "Some even made it by midyear and were able to exit out of the program."