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Middle schoolers want to be 'millionaires' Union grant helps kids read a million words 
December 9, 2004 Sandra Marinelli Sandra Marinelli, a middle-level reading specialist in Lackawanna , expects each of her nearly 350 students to become "millionaires." And although none are old enough to play the lottery, odds are good that most will make it. After tests showed that students at the middle school were deficient in reading, Marinelli and colleagues started a 25-book campaign, encouraging students to read 25 books — an estimated 1 million words — a year. So far, 67 students have become academic Donald Trumps. "We're a suburban school, but we share more characteristics with an urban district," said Marinelli, a member of the Lackawanna Teachers Federation in Erie County . When financially strapped Bethlehem Steel pulled up stakes several years ago, the community was hit hard. "There is a 95 to 98 percent poverty level in the district, and many of the kids move a lot," said Marinelli. The school was classified as needing improvement under the federal No Child Left Behind Act after students failed to meet standards on the Grade 8 English Language Arts exam. Getting kids lost in books was key to getting the school off the list, educators decided. Using a $2,000 New York State United Teachers-Staples partnership grant, Marinelli bought some 300 books to establish a seventh- and eighth-grade library. For every 150 pages of reading students do, they are credited for an entire book. Participants write up a brief summary or reflection about an aspect of the story, give an oral presentation and discuss the book in a literary circle. "The English teachers set goals for the students, keep track of what they read and devote the first 10 minutes of class to independent reading," said Marinelli. "We had a bowling and pizza party for those who read 25 books or more and gave gift certificates to the top 10 readers." " Sandy has done a wonderful job with this project and I know the middle school teachers were thrilled to get the grant," said Nancy Travis, LFT president. "NYSUT has done an excellent job of helping us out." NYSUT-Staples grants To date, 34 NYSUT-Staples Partnership grants have gone to classrooms around the state, administered through the union's Education and Learning Trust. More money is available in this year's round of the partnership of NYSUT and Staples, Inc. The office supply chain is donating $1 for every used printer cartridge returned to Staples stores statewide to encourage recycling. "We're proud to be able to provide additional resources for schools that are developing new initiatives," said Maria Neira, second vice president of NYSUT. The $2,000 grants are available to pre-K-12 teachers to support enrichment activities such as field trips, assemblies and tutoring. Applicants submit a proposal detailing how the grant will be used; they must be NYSUT members working at a New York state public school that is classified as either a school in need of improvement, or a School Under Registration Review. Grant applications for 2005 awards, signed by the local president and the building principal, must be received by Jan. 5. For information, contact Bob Massey at (800) 342-9810. — Kara E. Smith |
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