Board of Education Candidate Geoff Luxenberg Introduces Program to Improve Student's Literacy Skills

Democratic Board of Education Member Geoff Luxenberg Introduces Innovative Partnership for Manchester Public Schools
Program marries trained senior citizen reading tutors with Manchester’s neediest students

During last Monday's Manchester Board of Education meeting, Democratic Board of Education member Geoff Luxenberg introduced a proposal for a new program designed to improve the literacy of Manchester’s students. The program, at no cost to the Town of Manchester, will create a partnership between the Manchester Public School System and the Greater Hartford Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

“This is a win-win for Manchester residents and taxpayers,” Luxenberg said. “RSVP will help our students improve their literacy skills at an early age and engage our senior citizens in helping to build a stronger community and better future for Manchester—all at no additional cost to the taxpayers.”

This new partnership, upon future passage by the board, will allow RSVP to recruit and train senior citizen volunteers from the Manchester community and then place them in the public schools to work directly with struggling elementary school children who are reading below grade level in kindergarten through third grade. The program is the culmination of months of in-depth research, and the initiative is designed specifically to address the achievement gap and bolster some of the lower reading scores from the recent Connecticut Mastery Test data.

The introduction of this program was received with glowing support from Chairwoman Margaret Hackett and other members of the Board of Education.

“Geoff has brought forth an initiative that our community can be proud of,” said Chairwoman Hackett.

Kathi Young, the Senior Coordinator for the Vernon program, which has been in existence for 10 years said, "The impact on the children with learning and emotionally has been great - mentors and mentees have formed a unique bond. It has been a true melding of community and volunteerism for all."

RSVP has been working for several years in the Vernon Public Schools, Middlesex County Schools and in Tolland Country Schools, with the overwhelming support of superintendents, teachers, senior citizens, parents, students and community members.