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 Reading Buddies Summer 2013 (application deadline, June 14) Minimize
     [Kid Space home]  ::  [Applications]
   

A Message from Program Coordinators Jessica Piper & Kendall Saunders
      Program Expectations

The Summer 2013 Reading Buddies program starts June 23. Here are some things all participants should know:
     
  • Parents of Little Buddies should stay in the Library at all times.
     
  • Depending on the session you are signed-up for, we will meet:
    • Sundays, 2:00–3:00, June 23 through August 4 
    • Sundays, 3:30–4:30, June 23 through August 4
    • Mondays, 2:00–3:00, June 24 through August 5
    • Mondays, 3:30–4:30, June 24 through August 5

Please be on time! 

  • Please notify us if you will miss a session.
  • Big Buddies are middle and high school students at local schools.
     
  • If you are curious what your child is reading or what reading-enrichment  activities we do, please feel free to ask us.
     
  • Remember that Reading Buddies is not a tutoring service; our goal is to help kids enjoy reading.
     
    What is Reading Buddies?
     

Big Buddy and Little Buddy

 Reading Buddies is a free program that pairs teenage volunteers with K–2nd grade students who are learning to read. They work together for an hour every week—one-on-one.

The Buddies read together for 45 minutes. There are also reading comprehension activities and reading-related games. For the last 15 minutes of the session, all of the Buddies will play a group reading game, such as a Library scavenger hunt.
      The program helps boost young readers' skills and make them excited about reading and the library. It gives Big Buddies community service hours, and the chance to make a real difference in a child's life. Reading Buddies was first offered at the Louisville Library in the summer of 2009. We thank the Lafayette Public Library for sharing their training materials, helping us get our own program started.
    Who are the Big Buddies?
     

Big Buddies are volunteers in grades 7-12 (or entering grades 7-12 if volunteering for a summer session) who apply to mentor a younger student. Big Buddies from any school are welcome; our current Buddies come from Louisville Middle School, Summit Middle School, Monarch K-8, Monarch High School, and Fairview High School.

Before participating in Reading Buddies, all Big Buddies participate in a two-hour training program. Big Buddies are NOT tutors—their job is to help Little Buddies enjoy reading, not to help them with homework or correct learning issues.
    Who are the Little Buddies?
      Little Buddies are elementary school students who want extra help with reading or a teen mentor. Children currently in grades K-2 will get priority in Buddy assignments, but we will also accept children in 3rd grade if we have space.

Little Buddies are drawn primarily from Fireside, Coal Creek, Eldorado K-8, and Louisville elementary schools, but we accept applicants from anywhere. We accept Little Buddies at any reading level—Big Buddies are trained to help children who are pre-reading, as well as those who can read chapter books.
    How do I sign up?
     

Applications:
Applications are available by clicking on the links below. They are also available at the Louisville Library Children's Desk. You may complete the form online then drop it off, mail it, fax it, or scan/email it. Please make sure to sign (or fill in your name if submitting electronically) and date the form before submitting it. All the contact information is included at the bottom of the form.

Little Buddy
Application		 New Big Buddy Application Returning Big Buddy Application


Eligibility:
All Big Buddies who attend the training are accepted.

For the Little Buddies, space is limited and applications are accepted on a
first-come, first-served basis. We will notify you a few weeks before the program begins if your child has been accepted or is on the waiting list. 
       
      Summer 2013 Program:
The application deadline is June 14, and we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. Students who are in kindergarten to 2nd grade (or entering grades 1-3 if registering for a summer session) are eligible to be Little Buddies. Students in grades 7-12 (or entering grades 7-12 if volunteering for a summer session) are eligible to be Big Buddies. Students in 3rd grade may apply to be Little Buddies, but priority will be given to K-2 applicants.

There will be four, 7-session tracks offered:

Sundays June 23 through August 4 2:00-3:00
Sundays June 23 through August 4 3:30-4:30
Mondays June 24 through August 5 2:00-3:00
Mondays June 24 through August 5 3:30-4:30
       
      Attendance Policies:
The goal of Reading Buddies is to establish a relationship between the Buddies, and attendance is critical to the success of the program. Little Buddies who miss more than one session will be unable to participate. It is also very important to the program's success to be on time; if a Little Buddy is late, the Big Buddy may be assigned to a different child for the day.

If you will not be able to attend a session, please give us as much advance notice as possible. If a last minute emergency or child's illness comes up, please let us know as soon as you can. Parents of Little Buddies are required to remain in the Library (though not with the Buddy pair) during the session.
    Who is in charge of the Reading Buddies Program?
      Under the supervision and guidance of the Library's Children's Services librarians and staff, the Reading Buddies program is organized and run completely by volunteers for the Library.

The Reading Buddies co-coordinators are Jessica Piper, a sophomore at Fairview High School, and Kendall Saunders, a junior at Monarch High School. Both have participated in the Louisville Reading Buddies program since its start in the summer of 2009.
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