Legacy of Literacy
What if we could ensure every student is reading at grade level? Perhaps we can!
Children who can’t read at grade level by grade three are four times less likely to graduate than a child who does read proficiently by that time.[1]
In Living Sky School Division, 47% of grade three students began the 2023-24 school year reading below grade level. Literacy is a foundational skill, without it subjects such as math, science, social studies and more become increasingly difficult and could cause frustration. Problems in literacy may even explain some behavioural issues experienced in classrooms. By addressing gaps and skills in reading, performance across all subjects is more likely to improve.
Thanks to a generous donation from the Stromberg Family Fund, set-up and managed by Robert and Sandra Stromberg, the Living Sky Innovation Fund is launching special programming to support literacy across the division in hopes of achieving this dream. The Stromberg’s believe in improving their community and see literacy as a way to provide support in an impactful way. They hope their initial donation will inspire others to help support the new program as well.
“Legacy of Learning” is a support program where interventionists work one-on-one with grade two and three students experiencing difficulties in reading. The first intervention ran from February 26th to April 26th in the Battlefords schools and Unity Public School. This program will expand to other schools as more interventionists are found.
Brenda Vickers, director of education, shares, “We are so thankful to the Stromberg’s for supporting our division with their generous donation, and for their willingness to ask, ‘what if we could?’ To help children learn to read is an incredible gift.”
For more details about how you can get involved with the Legacy of Literacy or support the Living Sky Innovation Fund, contact:
Christeena Fisher, Executive Assistant/Special Projects
P: 306-937-7931
E: christeena.fisher@lskysd.ca
The Living Sky Innovation Fund is established through:
Battlefords and District Community Foundation
E: bfordscf@gmail.com
PH: 306-441-2961
[1] “Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation General Perceptions of Full Day Every Day Kindergarten.” July, 2023, Insightrix Research Inc.