Literacy San Antonio, Inc., today announced a $50,000 donation from the Valero Energy Foundation to fund the SAReads® Grade-Level Reading program. The SAReads program partners with Southwest ISD and Texas A&M University - San Antonio to help children achieve reading proficiency while preparing future teachers to meet students' language and literacy needs.
Literacy San Antonio, Inc., today announced a $50,000 donation from the Valero Energy Foundation to fund the SAReads® Grade-Level Reading program.
The SAReads Grade-Level Reading program follows a curriculum-based method for increasing children’s reading skills. Specifically, SAReads provides one-on-one tutoring for kindergarten through 3rd grade students utilizing future teachers from Texas A&M University - San Antonio College of Education and Human Development.
"It’s part of our ongoing mission to bridge the education gap in South San Antonio and partnering with SAReads affords our students the opportunity to make a real difference in the educational future of so many children in our own backyard," said Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President of Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
The SAReads program is being developed and implemented in eleven elementary schools in Southwest ISD.
"Southwest ISD is proud to participate in SAReads, and is appreciative of the donation that Valero Energy Foundation has made to help support the SAReads Grade-Level Reading Program. At Southwest, we truly value community partnerships that assist our students with reading proficiency, which is the fundamental aspect of learning," said Dr. Lloyd Verstuyft, Southwest ISD Superintendent of Schools.
“We are grateful to Valero Energy Foundation for supporting the development of this model,” said Pamela Toman, Executive Director of Literacy San Antonio. “Literacy San Antonio intends to replicate SAReads in partnership with other schools and universities.”
In addition to tutoring, participating students receive book bundles throughout the year via the SAReads Book Bank, along with access to enrichment opportunities such as a field trip to the San Antonio Book Festival. Together, these interventions are designed to ensure students achieve reading proficiency by the end of 3rd grade.
Valero Energy Foundation’s generous support allows SAReads to help children achieve reading proficiency through data-driven, curriculum-based programs while preparing future teachers to meet students’ language and literacy needs.
SAReads is a campaign coordinated by Literacy San Antonio, Inc., dedicated to making grade-level reading a reality for children in Bexar County. For more information on our organization and programs, please visit sareads.org or literacysanantonio.com.