By Liz Beavers
lbeavers@newstribune.info
Tribune Managing Editor
WILEY FORD – You know it’s summer in Mineral County when the halls of at least three of the county’s schools begin to fill up with energetic youngsters ready for the next reading-related adventure.
Energy Express, the nationally-recognized, award-winning summer reading program, got off to a busy start Monday, with 224 youngsters signed up to take part in the program in one of four sites located at Wiley Ford Primary, Keyser Primary-Middle (two separate sites) and the Pre-K/Head Start School in Keyser.
The program is geared toward helping students retain and/or develop their reading skills, in addition to receiving two meals a day.
At Wiley Ford Monday, volunteer readers sat underneath colorful umbrellas, inside camping tents, and where ever else their imagination took them as they read one-on-one to the youngsters. Other students worked on crafts, under the guidance of their mentors – college students and Americorps members who work with the children on a wide variety of activities designed to develop reading skills.
At all three sites in Keyser, the activities were similar as mentors, volunteers and students got to know each other and began laying the groundwork for a busy summer.
No more than eight students are allowed per mentor in order to maximize each student’s learning experience, according to WVU Extension Agent Margaret Miltenberger, who helps oversee the program.
“Many children fall behind, both nutritionally and academically, during the summer months,” she said. “This program ensures that they receive good nutrition and stay involved in fun and educational activities.
“Energy Express has been shown to help children not only maintain their reading skills during the summer, but often to actually improve them,” she said.
This year’s program, in its 12th year in Mineral County, will go through Aug. 7.
Michelle Stanislawczyk is serving as volunteer coordinator over the entire program. Site coordinators are Jessica
Hartman at Wiley Ford, Kerri Staggers and Tammy Ashby at KPMS, and Bridgette Peterson at Head Start.
Miltenberger said the program is always in need of help from the community.
“The No. 1 thing we need is more volunteers,” she said, noting that people can come in at any time to volunteer to read to the youngsters or have the youngsters read to them.
Volunteers may also help serve meals or donate supplies for the program.
Major funding for Energy Express comes from the WVU Extension 4-H Youth Development Volunteer West Virginia, The Stae’s Commission for Natinoal and Community Sersvice.
The summer food service program is throught he West Virginia Department of Education Office of Child Nutrition, the W.Va. Department of Education and the Arts.
For more information or to volunteer or donate supplies, contact Stanislawczyk at 304-790-4175.
Keyser, W.Va. —
