More staff members opt for Reading Frogs
Staff members were granted 12 hours of paid time off this year for participating in the program, which helps elementary school children to read.
By Amy Johnson
Staff Reporter

Reading Frogs, a community service program designed to promote literacy among elementary school students, will embark on its second year of service Sept. 30.

The number of staff members, faculty and students who have volunteered to participate has increased this year, said Julie Graver, chairwoman of the community service committee.

“Last year about 45 staff members volunteered,” she said. “Our goal this year was to double that number, and so far, we are up to about 70 staff volunteers.”

Karen Baker, chairwoman of the Staff Assembly, said she is very pleased that so many people have signed up this year. The number of volunteers may be up because employees can now receive paid time off for community service, she said.

“We were granted a trial period this year for up to 12 hours paid time off if participating in Reading Frogs,” she said. “Community service programs are a way for TCU to reach out and give back to the community that has given us so much support.”

Seven schools near TCU have been selected to participate so far, said Jaime Christie, coordinator of School and Community Partnerships for the Fort Worth Independent School District. The program will continue once each week until Dec. 13. Volunteers typically spend about 30 to 45 minutes at the schools listening to children read, reading in the classrooms, leading discussions and asking questions on comprehension, she said.

Christie said she works with TCU Staff Assembly to coordinate efforts between the university and elementary schools.

“The volunteers shared their love of reading with the children,” said Christie. “Their presence in our schools as ambassadors of TCU is most welcome.”

Reading Frogs has also received an overwhelming response from students who want to help, Graver said.

Jill Laster, associate vice chancellor for administrative services, said the program is beneficial to everyone involved.

“There are so many kids who don’t have support at home or who have parents who work or have other children,” Laster said. “This program gives them some one-on-one time devoted to reading.

“I think I am getting more out of it than the kids. I love to see the progress they are making.”

Last year Laster spent an hour each week reading with a third grade student at Lily B. Clayton Elementary School. The student had difficulty with reading comprehension in the beginning of the year because English was his second language, but he passed the reading portion of the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills test later in the year, she said.

“He was so proud of himself,” Laster said. “It was really a great triumph for him. He surprised all of us.”

Baker said this is the Staff Assembly’s second year to emphasize community service.

The program was chosen following the October 2000 report by the Commission on the Future of TCU, she said.

“Our goal is to concentrate and improve on the programs we started and did so well with last year,” Baker said.