Beaumont volunteers promote student literacy at École Beau Meadow School
École Beau Meadow students are gaining confidence in their reading abilities thanks, in part, to a local volunteer organization.
The Friends of Beaumont and Literacy Society is a non-profit group that fundraises to support literacy and other community-focused initiatives in Beaumont.
For nearly two years, the society’s Reading Buddies program has been making an impact at EBMS. Led by volunteer and retired teacher Edna Colville, the program started in October of 2024. Every Tuesday afternoon starting at around 12:35, a group of volunteers visits the school to read with students for three 15-minute sessions, in addition to and in support of the work teachers are doing with students every day
“Volunteers work with kids who just need that little bit of a hand up or kids that have just moved from another country that are just learning the language,” says school principal Shelly McCubbing. “For some, it's just that extra confidence boost. It's a chance for them to spend more time reading orally with an adult to guide them along the way.”
McCubbing says the program has had a positive impact on the student’s reading skills and the whole school community.
The initiative was originally focused on students in grades one through three, but as more volunteers joined, the program has expanded to include students of all grade levels.
Community volunteers have shown so much interest, that the group is considering expanding the program to include other schools within the community.
“I just hope that the students get a sense that reading can be fun, and that they can connect with books, and through books, connect with people,” Colville says.
“I hope that it encourages them to read and enjoy reading,” says Marie Palmer, a community volunteer. “I think when it's somebody in addition to their parents and teachers that they're reading with, it gives them extra incentive to like what they're seeing and reading.”
Last year, the group also donated $2,500 worth of brand new books to the school for students to enjoy.
