Quarterly Newsletter: August 2023

Program Updates

New books for beginning readers

Our Beginning Readers Curriculum is moving to the next chapter with all new books and lesson plans!

AmeriCorps training for FY24 begins August 16

Eleven senior AmeriCorps members will be returning this school year and twelve new members will be joining us as well. We are still hiring for Literacy Leads to be Three Quarter Time hires (October 16 start date).

If you know anyone interested in serving a year with Reading Partners South Carolina please have them go to www.readingpartners.org/americorps for more information.

Community Engagement Updates

Participating schools for the 2023-2024 school year

For the 2023-2024 school year, Reading Partners SC will be in the following schools:

Johns Island
Angel Oak Elementary, 6134 Chisolm Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455; In-person
Mt. Zion Elementary, 3464 River Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455; In-person

West Ashley
St. Andrews Math and Science, 30 Chadwick Dr, Charleston, SC 29407; In-person
Oakland Elementary, 505-A Arlington Dr, Charleston, SC 29414; In-person and virtual

North Charleston
Pinehurst Elementary, 7753 Northside Dr, North Charleston, SC 29420; In-person and virtual
Midland Park Primary, 2415 Midland Park Rd, North Charleston, SC 29406; In-person
Malcolm Hursey Elementary, 1999 Singley Street, North Charleston; In-person and virtual
Green Charter School 8717 Old University Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29406; In-person
Lambs Elementary, 6800 Dorchester Rd. North Charleston 29418; In-person and virtual

Mount Pleasant
James B. Edwards Elementary, 855 Von Kolnitz Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464; In-person 

Berkeley County
St. Stephens Elementary, 1053 Russellville Rd, St Stephen, SC 29479; Virtual

We are growing our volunteer base for the following new schools: 

• Oakland Elementary
• Green Charter Elementary
• Lambs Elementary
• James B. Edwards Elementary

If you are interested in volunteering at these specific schools, please contact us at volunteersc@readingpartners.org.

New systems for the 2023-2024 school year

Reading Partners has new systems and processes for the new year! Check them out below.

1. 1. Reading Partners Connects (RPCx): our virtual tutoring platform has continued to improve and support our growing number of students we serve each year. Reading Partners has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to create an even better version of our online platform to be rolled out this year. For all of our virtual volunteers, you will get to experience the platform’s new interface and user-friendly tools for a smoother and more efficient session with your students!
   2. Scheduling Pilot: there is a new and improved way of scheduling yourself based on your availability and curriculum preference at the school of your choice. The new scheduling system has been designed to assist us in getting our volunteers paired with students faster and more efficiently.
   3. Background check fee: Charleston County School District (CCSD) will now implement a $5 fee for background checks. This applies to all new volunteers and volunteers who will need to update their upcoming expired background checks. Note: Background clearance is good for 3 years. Also, you will not have to pay the $5 fee if you go in to check on your application status and it states that you have already been approved.

Upcoming kickoff launch event

RPSC is planning to host a Kickoff Launch event in September to introduce potential new tutors to the organization and provide program updates to returning tutors. It will be a festive evening, honoring our volunteers for their contributions and sharing our goals for the new school year. Stay tuned for more details as the planning committee secures a venue.

Development Updates

Shop our Back to School Amazon wishlist

The 2023-24 school year is quickly approaching and we need your help restocking some essential supplies for our reading centers. We are so grateful for the generosity shown by this community in helping us ‘clear the list.’ We have already received over $2,000 worth of school supplies! If you are interested in donating, please visit our Amazon wishlist here. Items can be shipped to our office at 6296 Rivers Ave, Suite 305, North Charleston, SC 29406.

Mark your calendar for Books & Breakfast

Our annual Books & Breakfast event will take place at 8 am on October 19th at the Francis Marion Hotel. We are excited to welcome Marcus Amaker, Charleston’s first Poet Laureate, as our keynote speaker. We will also hear reflections from a few dedicated partners who have impacted the lives of young readers in our community. If you are interested in attending to learn more about children’s literacy or how you can get involved with Reading Partners, please email Dawn Kahley (dawn.kahley@readingpartners.org).

Funding updates

A big “Thank You!” to the following organizations and foundations that made contributions to Reading Partners since our last newsletter edition:

• Famulari’s Pizzeria and Fam’s Brewing Co. selected Reading Partners as their July charity and raised over $3,500 on July 26
• First Citizens Bank of Charleston made a $1,000 contribution
• Nordstrom awarded a $2,000 general operating grant
• Patrick Family Foundation awarded a $10,000 general operating grant
• The Beach Company made a $1,000 contribution towards the Little Free Library project
• The Exchange Club of Charleston awarded a $1,500 grant toward our Take Reading With You program
• Bishop Gadsden named Reading Partners as the beneficiary of their Generous Spirit Bingo Night on July 21
• We raised over $33,000 and collected over 200 books during our Take Reading With You online book drive. Thank you to everyone who donated!