Press Release

A Summer of Literacy and Learning

Tutor Kathleen MacDonald shows Julian how to play a word game on the computer at the Confederation Centre Public Library

"Many students lose their skills gained in school over the summer months. For students that struggle, this can make things even harder for them in the fall when they go back to school," says Jinny Greaves, program coordinator with the PEI Literacy Alliance.

"This is why maintaining students skills over the summer months is the goal of the our Summer Tutoring Program for Kids."

This summer 23 tutors are tutoring 700 students in one-on-one session across the Island from Tignish to Souris. They are working mostly in libraries, but some tutors are in schools and community centres.

These sessions are for students who are struggling with reading, writing or math. Tutors focus on creating a fun, relaxed and safe environment for their students to learn in. Most of the tutors are in a Bachelor of Education program or will be in the fall. They also receive 20 hours of training.

"The libraries are ideal locations for these sessions as they are full of resources and students can borrow books of their choice. For many students, this may be the first time they've enjoyed their local library and learned what it has to offer them," says Greaves.

"Libraries are a perfect space to find fun and informative materials in several different formats to encourage readers of all abilities. And best of all they are free." says Trina O'Brien Leggott, Chief Librarian, Confederation Centre Public Library.

This is the 12th year the PEI Literacy Alliance has run this free program. This would not be possible without the strong support of the Public Library Service or without funding from: Service Canada's Summer Job Program, the Department of Education, the Eastern, Western and French School Boards, and the Percé Program.

For more information call Jinny at 368-1810

Media Kit

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