Literacy Task Force

Mission

Zion-Benton’s Coalition for Healthy Communities mission is to lead our communities in a collaborative effort to improve identified health, wellness, and social issues. As subcommittee formed under this mission, the Literacy Task Force seeks to promote literacy within our community—to create a community of readers—and increase community awareness of existing literacy resources.

Notable Accomplishments

The Literacy Task Force (LTF) of the Coalition for Healthy Communities is comprised of representatives from the four school districts serving Zion-Benton Townships: Districts 1, 3, 6 and 126 are all represented. Additionally, the Zion-Benton Public Library Director, the Youth Services Librarians and the Teen Librarians all serve on this committee. We are also joined by representatives from the Zion Park District, the Lake County United Way, and the Lake County YWCA. Over the last several years the LTF has developed and implemented programs designed to promote literacy in our community.

We have partnered with the Meemic Foundation and the ZBTHS Industry and Technology Department to produce Little Free Libraries. These libraries are placed in the community. Each Little Free Library will be stocked with donated books for people of all ages.

This map details Little Free Libraries that are sponsored by the Zion-Benton Coalition for Healthy Communities through our Literacy Task Force. 

Click here to view map: https://tinyurl.com/ZBCHCLFL

We have also created a tutoring guide for community residents. A copy of the guide can be found HERE.

The Zion-Benton Public Library has also begun Child Development Screenings which helps parents identify if their child (birth through age 5) is developmentally on track in these five areas:
• Communication
• Gross Motor
• Fine Motor
• Problem Solving
• Personal-Social

Screenings can identify children who are developing on schedule, identify children who would benefit from practice or support in specific areas, and answer the question, “Does my child need an in-depth assessment?” Screenings cannot diagnose delays or disabilities or identify specific goals to target.

To make an appointment for a screening, please call (847) 872-4680 extension 5. Screenings take approximately 20 minutes and will take place at the Zion-Benton Public Library in the Youth Services Department. Screening results and personal information will not be shared or kept by the library.

The Literacy Task Force is working to expand literacy activities throughout the community. If you have an opportunity to help the LTF grow and expand our reach, please let us know. We are constantly looking for new ideas and opportunities to ensure that our community is a community of readers.

LINKS FOR LITERACY

We seek to promote literacy in our community, create a community of readers, and increase community awareness of literacy activities.

For more information visit:
https://sites.google.com/zbths.org/linksforliteracy

Lake County Developmental Screening

Organizations are available to provide free, global, developmental screenings to children who are under three years of age.

DOWNLOAD THIS LIST AS A PDF FILE

Meeting Dates

Press Release

More children in Zion, Illinois School District 6 will have access to reading intervention tutoring thanks to nonprofit literacy organization Reading Power Inc. After careful planning with Zion District 6, Reading Power will expand its program to Shiloh Park Elementary School and provide one-to-one literacy tutoring to first grade students, during the school day, three days per week beginning February 26, 2019. Students are selected to participate using school data and in collaboration with school staff.

Reading Power currently tutors 24 children per day in first and second grade at Beulah Park Elementary School in Zion, and operates programs in four North Chicago schools and one school in Beaufort, S.C. Since its founding 15 years ago, Reading Power has tutored more than 3,000 children.

Under the supervision of Reading Power ‘s Director of Programs Lisa Bulzoni, MEd., Shiloh Park Site Coordinator Cathy Keller (of Lake Forest) will responsible for running the Reading Power classroom, supporting volunteer tutors, and working in collaboration with school staff to provide Reading Power’s proven program.

Keller has been a volunteer tutor for 10 years and has served as the Assistant Site Coordinator at Beulah Park. Cathy Plate (of Mundelein), a retired classroom teacher with her master’s in education, National Board Certification, and five years as a Reading Power tutor, will be the Assistant Site Coordinator.

Reading Power, a 501c3 nonprofit, is fully funded through generous private and corporate donations. There is no cost to families or the school system, other than to provide a dedicated space.

“It’s a true partnership with Reading Power,” says Keely Roberts, Superintendent of District 6 in Zion. “We provide core curriculum for our classroom teachers. Reading Power provides the love, the support, and the discreet skill for mediation for our students to support their literacy development in those classrooms.”

Reading Power tutors are caring volunteers from a variety of backgrounds who receive extensive training from Reading Power’s professional staff. Today, more than 200 volunteer tutors dedicate one to several hours per week to work with children.

“We are excited to expand to Shiloh Park, to meet new children and staff, and to help make a positive difference in their lives,” says Keller. “The more tutors we have, the more students we can help. We welcome anyone who may be interested to contact us for more information and to arrange a site visit.”

To learn more about becoming a tutor, visit http://www.readingpowerinc.org/become-a-tutor.html
www.readingpowerinc.org

To view Reading Power in action, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO8UAbwFG9I