ROTARY READER PATCH PROGRAM PROMOTES LOVE OF READING BEGINNING AT EARLIERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVELS

The Rotary Reader Patch Program was started in March 2006 at Anna Maria Elementary School to promote the love of reading w2ith the incentive of a reading patch award for all children.  According to Jim Dunne, who calls upon parents to sign up their kids for this program, students entering kindergarten are not expected to read so "we encourage parents to read to them."

Not coincidentally, literacy is the focus of the month of March in Rotary.  With high illiteracy rates remaining in Canada and the United States, "this is why we need to encourage kids to be literate," Dunne said.  The Rotary Reader Patch Program promotes the love of reading with the incentive of a reading patch award for all children.

Over 8,000 books were read in the first year the Rotary Reader Patch Program was in place.  Approaching the end of year two, well over 15,000 books have been read.

Students in kindergarten and first grade may earn three different patches by having books read to them.  Second grade students can earn a patch by reading ten books on their reading level from a specific category. Students in third through fifth grades can earn a genre patch after reading five books on their reading level from one category.

Every student who brings in their Rotary Reader form signed by a parent will receive a free blue sash on which to display his or her patches.  Students are encouraged to continue reading for patches through the summer vacation from school.

Anna Maria Elementary has a number of videos which show the Rotary Reader Patch program in action, including one that features Cindi Harrison and other Rotarians visiting AME in winter 2008 and another that highlights AME students talking about the program. 

Anna Maria Elementary is a "Rotary school," participating in the Peace Pole Project, the "Four Way Test Essay Program" and an Estuary Program as well as annually nominating a graduating fifth grader to receive the Rotary "Service Above Self" award.