Hear from parents, partners, volunteers, and champions in these videos.
We are delighted to share that a Strong Start Education Caucus has been formed at Queen’s Park, supported by 15 MPPs from across the communities where Strong Start is delivering its Letters, Sounds and Word … Continued
The first step in helping a child learn to read is to boost their confidence. In this video, Linda Maryniuk, Staff Site Co-ordinator shares her experiences with the Letters, Sounds and Words program at her school.
Jane Baxter, school secretary shares her perspective on the Letters, Sounds and Words program and how easy it is to support. “As secretary of the school, there is no extra work for Strong Start.”
After her son benefited from the Letters, Sounds and Words program, Erica Cross wanted to give back. She got involved as a volunteer in her son’s school to make a difference for other children. This is their story.
Bram’s daughter was struggling to learn how to read. He worked with her at home, along with his wife, but nothing they did seemed to make a difference. In Grade 1, she was enrolled in Strong Start’s Letters, Sounds and Words program, which helped open the lid to her learning. This is their story.
Susan Fitzgerald is the Site Co-ordinator of the Letters, Sounds and Words program at Sacred Heart C.E.S. In this video, she talks about how the program is simply helping children learn their letters, sounds and words in a fun and engaging way. “The children love to come. They love to work with their volunteers. They love the games. They leave the program feeling good about themselves and it is witnessed when I do the post-test.”
This is the tale of two sisters preparing for school in the Get Ready for School program. Chloe thrived in the program and was always excited to go. She made friends and connections with the teachers. Our other daughter, Georgia, is now in the Get Ready for SchoolTM program at Centerville Chicopee in Kitchener. She is also thriving. Georgia is clapping syllables, saying sounds, and reading books.
Lori Burroughs-Miller, a Learning Resource Teacher and Site Co-ordinator at Lakewood Public School shares how co-ordinating the Letters, Sounds and Words program fits in her role at the school and the benefits she’s seen for children. “This is the first year for Strong Start here at Lakewood. Strong Start is there to support those kids who just need a little bit of extra support. Teachers have noticed a difference. The kids have confidence and they love to go with their volunteers.”
Karen Mitchell, Principal at Sacred Heart C.E.S. in Paris shares how Strong Start’s Letters, Sounds and Words program helps build community in her school. “When I first think about Strong Start, I think about community helping community. It takes a village to raise a child and so in our school, what we try to do is identify our children who need more support and we get our community members in to help us with that closing the gap for our children.”
Judy, a Volunteer Coach in the Letters, Sounds and Words program and Kiwanis Club member shares her passion for giving children the best possible start to school. “As a volunteer, seeing these children develop the gift of reading…it opens up a whole world of imagination and adventure to them. We’re always telling them that between the pages of a book, there’s a whole other world you can explore. Once you get into that world, the doors open up and you can go anywhere you wish to go.”
