Ironton youngsters will be better prepared for tomorrow thanks to a $55,000 grant from the governor’s office.

Saturday, January 08, 2000

Ironton youngsters will be better prepared for tomorrow thanks to a $55,000 grant from the governor’s office. Kingsbury Elementary School recently received funding to implement the Waterford Early Reading Program for the first and second grades through an OhioReads grant, said Susan Heyard, Ironton City Schools assistant superintendent.

"I think it’s one more tool they can learn from and they do enjoy it," Mrs. Heyard said. "It’s a useful tool and something the children will have to know. I don’t think there will be a job out there that doesn’t require some type of technical skills."

The school district has already seen the benefits of the Waterford program. West Ironton was chosen as a pilot site for the computer-assisted reading program, principal Vicky Evans said.

"We have eight kindergarten classes and six of them participate in the program," Mrs. Evans said. "Each student uses the computer 15 minutes per day. Once they learn the letters and sounds, they write their own books by filling in the blanks."

Those books are printed out, along with certificates chronicling the student’s achievements, Mrs. Evans said.

The students then take home the books to practice their reading skills, she added.

"I’ve taught for 25 years and I’m really impressed with this program," Mrs. Evans said. "Every day, the children ask when they are going to be on the computer. The program is so animated and creative, it keeps them excited."

And the children give the Waterford program a thumbs up as well.

"I can start spelling and reading," said 5-year-old Electa Royal. "I can spell love, cat, lion, zoo and a lot more stuff."

More children will soon get the chance to experience the computer program. The computers and materials for the project arrived in the board office this week.

The grant allowed the school to purchase three computers, one printer and supporting materials, which include books, tapes and videos, Mrs. Heyard said.

"It would surprise a lot of people to see how much technology we use in the schools and we’re always looking for ways to improve," she said.

Also through the OhioReads grant, the district received $83,674 for Kingsbury and Whitwell Elementary, as well as Ironton Middle School in the form of a community grant.

The funds will allow the district to set up a tutoring program where high school students will go into the earlier grade levels to help students with their reading skills, Mrs. Heyard said.

The high school students will receive training through Ohio University Southern Campus and be able to offer an alternative to the regular reading curriculum.

"This is a situation where everyone will win," Mrs. Heyard said. "The high school students will love it and the little ones will benefit. We want to show kids that reading can be enjoyable and help them grow to love books."

Ironton City Schools administrators plan to continue seeking grant opportunities to offer more programs to encourage children to learn, Mrs. Heyard said.

One of the district’s goals is to see the Waterford program expanded in West Ironton, and grow to include second-graders, Mrs. Evans said.

"I’m hoping to get enough eventually that all the students can have the computers in their rooms," she said.

Zane Rapp, 5, wouldn’t mind that at all.

"I like the computers because they do all kinds of amazing things," Zane said.