Simplified: A new program will give the community a direct way to support early literacy in Sioux Falls. Here’s what you need to know about Community Literacy Allies.

Why it matters 

  • Only 50% of kids in the Sioux Falls School District test as proficient in reading, according to data from the state department of education. Superintendent Jamie Nold notes that "proficient" is a higher bar than "literate," but even still, literacy by third grade is a benchmark often cited as a marker for future success. 
  • Meanwhile, in a district of 24,000 kids, only about 1100 have mentors who meet with them on a regular basis, according to Chamber of Commerce board chair Tamien Dysart. That’s why Dysart wanted to look at ways the business community can do more to support young kids. 
  • He shared his idea with Sioux Falls Superintendent Jamie Nold, and the two men came up with the idea for the new Communjty Literacy Allies program, in which volunteers meet regularly to provide additional, targeted literacy support to kindergarten and first graders.
“If we want a solid workforce, if we wan't solid leaders for tomorrow to come from any section of our community, we need to make sure that students can be literate by third grade," Nold said. "This is going to be a step in that direction."

Tell me more

Literacy Allies is structured so teams of six people essentially take turns visiting a classroom three times per week for one hour. It works out that each person is volunteering for one hour twice per month—half the commitment required for mentorship programs like LSS or teammates. 

  • The volunteer shifts are structured so each person meets with 2-3 kids for 20 minutes, then a five minute break, and then another group of 2-3 kids for 20 minutes — hopefully leaving the rest of the hour to drive to and from the school and work. 

It’s not just reading to kids, Nold said, but it’s not full-on teaching either. Volunteers will receive training on how to support kids similarly to how parents support kids with literacy at home — sounding out vowels, for example. 

Dysart said his long-term goal is to see more people volunteering to be mentors as well as more businesses “adopting” schools to support education needs.

“This could easily be the 'gateway drug' to volunteerism,” Dysart said, adding that once volunteers get to know some of these students, the hope is they'll stick on and mentor them for years into the future.

How can I learn more?

There are two upcoming informational sessions where you can learn more about how to get involved in Literacy Allies. Email tamien@letsthink3d.com to get signed up for one of them. Dates are:

  • Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 2:30 p.m.
  • Monday, Aug. 13 at 5 p.m.

You can also sign up to be a Literacy Allies volunteer using this form.