8
NOVEMBER 1, 2014
S moke S ignals
Tribe, Willamina Elementary work
to kick off StORytime initiative
By Ron Karten
Smoke Signals staff writer
WILLAMINA — In the
bleachers of Willamina El-
ementary School’s gym,
classes of kindergarteners,
their teachers and parents,
including a kindergarten
class from the Grand Ronde
Tribe, awaited the adult
part of the Oregon StORy-
time campaign.
“Research tells us that
one of the best ways to help
children learn new words
and unlock their imagina-
tion is by telling a story,”
said Eirik Thorsgard, the
Tribe’s Education Depart-
ment manager. “Storytell-
ing is also something that
we deeply cherish and use
to share our history, gen-
eration to generation, as a
Tribal community.”
“Reading by third grade
is one of the greatest pre-
dictors of lifelong success,”
said Oregon’s Chief Educa-
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
tion Officer Nancy Golden
to five classes of kindergar- Kindergarteners Aven Cox, above left, and Sophie Grout look and listen as Matt Bucknell, Tribal Elementary Lead, reads “There
Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow!” during the StORytime event held at Willamina Elementary School in Willamina
ten children.
“It is one of the best ways on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
to guarantee that you can be
of school. Knowing lots of words
readers, intervention and support
anything you want to be when you
mentary school children reading by
makes
us
better
readers.
We
can
programs implemented before third
grow up,” said Willamina Superin-
the third grade. Since then, from
be learning new words and taking
grade can increase reading skills to
tendent Gus Forster.
Alabama to Ohio and now to Oregon,
advantage of reading opportunities
average grade levels.
The event was the launch of a
states are taking up the challenge.
all around us in things that we are
The Oregon Education Investment
new statewide reading initiative for
To start the rollout locally, chil-
already doing every day: talking,
Board, working under the Chief Ed-
kindergarten students in five com-
dren grouped by class sat cross-
playing and singing.”
ucation Officer, was created in 2011
munities across the state, two of
legged on the floor of the gym,
Across
the
country,
children
from
to evaluate initiatives and make
them Tribal. The Willamina rollout
listening as teachers, community
professional
families
by
the
age
funding suggestions to the Oregon
on Wednesday, Oct. 15, was a col-
leaders and state officials read to
of 3 have heard 30 million more
Legislature. Third-grade reading
laboration between the Tribe and
them.
words, including words repeated,
proficiency is one of its priorities.
Willamina Elementary and was the
Tribal Elementary Lead Matt
than children from families living
The program is all about partner-
second of five similar events held
Bucknell brought three books to
in poverty.
ships. The board hopes to galvanize
at schools chosen as pilots for the
read to his class: “There Was a Cold
At Willamina Elementary, 58.6
Oregon schools, community and busi-
statewide project.
Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow,”
percent
of
Native
American
stu-
ness leaders to create a “seamless”
The selections were not just for
“Gus Loses a Tooth” and “Kinder-
dents are on track. Across Oregon,
system helping youth from birth to
schools whose third-graders are
garten ABC.”
55.7 percent are.
college and career, said Kristin Gim-
reading below state standards, but
After reading about the snow-eat-
“The reason our numbers are
bel, Communications Director in the
also where communities could be
ing lady, Bucknell said, “Raise your
higher than those across the state,”
office of the Chief Education Officer.
counted on to support literacy for
hand if you liked that story.” Every
said Thorsgard, “is because of the
The state has invested $250,000
the long run.
child raised a hand, most of them
extra
tutoring
and
services
the
Tribe
in
StORytime, part of a larger strat-
The communities of Grand Ronde/
their own, with eyes shining, ready
offers
in
the
local
school
district.”
egies
investment for the coming
Willamina and the Klamath Tribe
for another.
At Willamina, 55.7 percent of
biennium.
are on the list. Other communities
Listening to stories was held up
white students are on track. Across
Private sector funder of the pro-
selected are in rural Malheur Coun-
to the group as one of the important
Oregon, 76.5 percent of white stu-
gram is Canyonville-based Umpqua
ty, the south Oregon Coast and
ways that children learn to read.
dents are.
Bank, the largest community bank
East Multnomah County.
Thorsgard gave the group another
“We’re not where we’d like to be,
on the West Coast, according to
These communities also were
good example. He told a traditional
for
sure,”
said
Willamina
Elemen-
Nicole Stein, vice president of Com-
chosen for their lack of access to
Native story about Tata Klee ah, an
tary
Principal
Carrie
Zimbrick.
munity Responsibility. The $22
resources and support services.
ogre woman as tall as the trees who
“We’re working toward 70 percent
billion company has contributed
Each rollout is tailored with a vid-
cooks up little children for fun. At
of our third-graders reading above
$100,000 with a match from the
eo of and including local students, a
one point in the story, she comes
the state standard. We need to beef
community to buy 80,000 books
logo of their own and T-shirts. Use
out of the woods while knocking
up our effort, spend a lot more time
for “high needs” libraries, she said.
of the research on best practices for
down trees. She is on her way to the
with interventions.”
April Campbell, a Grand Ronde
teaching reading is the same.
meadow and, not coincidentally, a
The
school
also
is
starting
out
Tribal
member who was Education
StORytime comes out of the Gov-
young lad. As the ogre reached the
with too many children not ready
Department manager for the Tribe
ernor’s Office and is administered
boy, Thorsgard gave a boom and the
for kindergarten. The research says
and is now Indian Education Spe-
by the Oregon Department of Ed-
young audience members jumped.
that families play a major role in a
cialist for the state Department of
ucation. As far back as 1997, Con-
Students, many kicking the
child’s reading success. Youth from
Education, sees value in bringing
gress funded the National Reading
boards of the bleachers with the
5 to 16 years of age, for example,
together “key strategic partners”
Panel to get research going about
heels of their shoes, were down for
spend
15
percent
of
their
time
in
with outreach efforts.
what works and what barriers exist
the reading and storytelling. For the
school
and
85
percent
with
families,
Bobby Mercier, Brian Krehbiel,
for young readers.
research and statistics behind the
parents and communities.
Ali Holsclaw and Kimberly Roybal
In 2001, Congress took the report
program, big items for the program’s
Across the state, one-third of
drummed and sang to start the
from the National Reading Panel
creators, maybe not so much.
third-grade students are not read-
program. Umpqua Bank brought
and came back with the Reading
“We know,” Golden said, “if you
ing up to state standards. However,
in an ice cream truck, giving out
First program. With the research,
are reading by third grade, you are
for 85 percent to 90 percent of poor
what we all scream for to end it. n
Reading First aimed to have ele-
four times less likely to drop out