United Way of California

Foster Grandparents help students excel in classroom

The Valley Chronicle
October 28, 2011
By Jessica Self

At-risk student are in luck at Bautista Creek Elementary School. The Foster Grandparent group sponsored by the Central County United Way has five full-time seniors dedicated to the success of struggling students at the school.

The five women who volunteer at the school focus mostly on improving the reading skills of young students, beginning in first grade.

"It really gives students the opportunity to be the highlight of someone's attention," said Bautista Creek Assistant Principal Colleen Flavin. "The program has allowed those significantly below grade level to work up to grade level performance."

Flavin said the best part about having the grandparents at the school is that there is no other way the students they work with could get the help they need.

"With the large class sizes and how busy the teachers are it is just impossible for each child, especially those at risk academically, to get the attention they need," Flavin said. "I don't know what we would do without these women. They are amazing."

Flavin said the women are at school before the bell rings and stay until the end of the day. Many even participate in the S.A.F.E. after-school program.

Cindy Cullen-Carroll, who coordinates the program at Bautista, said the students develop bonds with the senior volunteers that go beyond the classroom.

"The kids love them like grandmas," she said. "They really come in and meet the needs of the students."

Carroll said it is a simple matter of recognizing when a student needs help and having the resources to get them that help.

"When children need help, they need help. It is reality that many parents are working when their children get home from school and cannot help them, so we are grateful we can make up for that missing attention in the school," Carroll said. "It is better to intervene at a young age so they do not get behind right off the bat."

For the volunteers themselves, it is an opportunity to do something positive with their time. Ruth Woodard, who worked in education at both Little Lake and Whittier Elementary schools, said she works on reading strategies and math skills with her students.

"It always depends on the need of that particular student," she said.

She also said that the program has given her the chance to get out of the house.

"I don't like the silence at home," Woodard said. "I don't guess I make a very good old person." One of the newer volunteers, Carol Bunham, said watching her students improve makes the hours spent worth it.

"I just think it's a wonderful program," she said. "Just in the few months I have been here, I have seen students really pick up on their reading. Seeing them improve is very satisfying."

Their students seem to agree.

"It's fun (to work with the seniors) because you learn," said first grader Jasmine Lane. "Ms. Carol helps me learn math problems and letter sounds. My favorite letter is J."

The Foster Grandparent program currently has five volunteers at Bautista Creek and 11 at Park Hill Elementary School in San Jacinto.

The program began in 2000 and works almost entirely at schools.

According to the coordinator of the program at Central County United Way, Nicole Valle, the goal is to get the program at every elementary school in the San Jacinto Valley.

"Studies have shown that students who are unable to move to the next grade are lacking in their reading skills," Valle said. "Without the ability to read it makes it impossible to do just about anything academic. The lack of support at home is hard on students. They need the encouragement and attention and that is what the seniors provide."

Valle said to simply have somebody that is excited for the small steps they are making allows students to excel.

"It also gives the senior citizens something to do. It gives them hope and keeps them going," Valle said.

Valle said having the seniors at the school every day has also improved the students' behavior.

The Foster Grandparent program has a total of 17 volunteers.

"These are just awesome ladies and we are excited to have them as part of our school's community," Flavin said.

To volunteer or for more information, call the Central County United Way at 929- 0423.