Wise Readers to Leaders Boosts Student Literacy
For the fifth summer in a row, Milken generously opened the doors of its beautiful state-of-the-art Saperstein Middle School Campus to accommodate the Wise Readers to Leaders (WRTL) program and provide a safe, clean, and productive learning environment for its participants. The school takes great pride in sharing their unique campus during the summer with educational organizations promoting learning opportunities to students who are not afforded the same options that Milken students have, exemplifying our commitment to service and giving back to the community.
Designed to help close the literacy achievement gap for students in underserved communities, the WRTL literacy and enrichment program also helps build self-confidence and self-esteem through daily reinforcement of positivity. Each day “scholars” (as the participants are called) from Fullbright Elementary School, descended upon the campus for a full day of exciting learning activities. They refined their reading skills in the morning and in the afternoon participated in sports, music, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), and field trips to local sites such as the Skirball Cultural Center and TreePeople.
Thirty current and former Milken students volunteered as Junior Literacy Leaders (JLL) for the six-week program. Upholding the core values of Milken, our students embodied the Milken “Portrait of a Graduate,” which views the world through a Jewish lens, urging students to take positive action and understand that they belong to something greater than themselves.Embracing the principle of tikkun olam (repairing the world), our students strengthened their ties to the community, putting their Jewish values into practice every day.
Milken students played vital roles as JLL volunteers, and have a lasting impact on the scholars. “Holding a position similar to what an assistant teacher does, the JLL’s have so much interaction with scholars starting a bond that lasts a lifetime,” explained JLL volunteer, alumna Jordyn Schiff ’13. She added, “The Milken students not only served key roles in the reading curriculum, they also played a huge role in the afternoon enrichment, leading activities for our scholars. Students also learned leadership roles and community building techniques.”
This is the second summer that Yonit Robin ’19 volunteered as a JLL. She worked with 5th and 6th graders, engaging them in activities such as reading and comprehension activities, games, sports, music, and STEAM. Throughout the year, she volunteered with the WRTL and sat on the board as a student leader.
It was a meaningful experience for Robin and she encourages other Milken students to get involved with the impactful program. Summing up her experience, she noted, “I feel lucky to be able to share the gift of education that my family and community have given me with others who don't have the same resources and opportunities.”
The summer produced many exciting success stories, such as two kindergarten scholars who were unable to read at the start of the program, but after one-on-one help from JLL’s, were able to recognize new sight words and read grade level books by the conclusion. WRTL gave away over 2000 books to the scholars so they could continue to read at home. Many of them would not have had access to new books otherwise.
It is a privilege and honor to host this incredible program and maximize the use of our facility during the summer.
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Juliana Saghian8/27/2018 @ 10:23 AMWould love to learn more about this program and how new students can participate in this impactful program.
At Milken Community School, we think education is more than what you know. Our School, founded on Jewish values, is about who our children can become and how they can help others become who they might be. Because the world our children will create tomorrow is born in the School we build today, our mission is to educate our children so they can surpass us.
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