Reading Corps program expands in District 423

A program designed to help students get up to grade level on their reading skills will be expanded in District 423 next year.

Minnesota Reading Corps, an affiliate of AmeriCorps, is a statewide initiative to help children become successful readers. The program first came to Hutchinson last year when Park Elementary Assistant Principal Lori VanderHeiden applied for a grant to pay for a full-time Reading Corps member to work with second- and third-graders on their reading. That person is Marty Zachmeyer, who works one-on-one with students for about a half hour at a time.

“It helps quite a lot of kids get up to grade level and that’s so important,” Zachmeyer said.

West Elementary Principal Anne Broderius noticed the program’s success at the sister school and thought it would be a good fit in her building as well. So, she and VanderHeiden worked together on the grant-writing this year and were awarded another full-time Reading Corps member for the younger grades.

For the full story, check out the Tuesday, May 20 print edition of the Leader.

(Lesley Christianson is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader.)
christianson@hutchinsonleader.com