The goal of the Afterschool Reading Program is to develop an appreciation of good books and literature. This is designed as a non-instructional program in which all children, of all reading levels, are invited to attend. Students are given opportunities to explore various literature genres. The children are encouraged to read for pleasure, respond to the literature, evaluate the literature and recognize the literary structure of each piece.

Although instruction is not the focus of this program, often the teachers, because they are familiar with their students, will incorporate decoding and comprehension skills into their lessons. Phonic "games", map and graph reading "games", sign and chart reading, as well as use of the computer lab, are all included into lessons. This is instruction with fun, and structure without pressure.

It is important that the Afterschool Reading Program remains special and meaningful to all students. Therefore, it is the child's responsibility to always first complete all grade classroom assignments, before enrolling in any additional school program.

The Afterschool Reading Program is a special service offered to all children of District 104, and this privilege must remain with the students most deserving.

All the children attending are expected to participate and contribute to class readings, discussion and activities. Good behavior is required at all times. Children who do not comply with rules, or do not meet attendance guidelines, are dropped from the program. Parents receive a written notice of the circumstances regarding dismissal from the program.

The Afterschool Reading Program is funded by a Title I grant. Classes are held at Graves Elementary, Heritage Middle School, Walker, Walsh and Wharton schools. Classroom size is limited to fifteen students. Enrolled students in grades two through six attend one-hour classes, twice a week. Multiple classes of the same grade level are often required to meet the large enrollment.

The curriculum the teachers choose to include in their lesson plans varies according to grade level and interest. All lessons include literature and reading. Examples may include a study on a particular author, comparison of fairy tales around the world, multicultural literature, and use of the "Great Books" program. Efforts are made by every teacher not to use curriculum that the classroom teacher plans to use during the day. The Afterschool readings are in addition to class literature.

Classes meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00 to 4:00 at all five schools. The criteria for all students are a signed consent form, parental responsibility for the 4:00 home dismissal, and good conduct.

District 104 classroom teachers staff the Afterschool Reading Program. All Afterschool Reading teachers submit an application letter to the Central Office in the Fall. Based on enrollment, teachers are assigned grade level and school placement for Afterschool Reading positions. The Central District Office determines salary. In addition to the full-time appointed staff personnel, teacher substitutes are needed. These substitutes are called upon whenever a teacher is absent. They are paid directly by the absentee teacher at an hourly wage. If a teacher must discontinue teaching, a new teacher substitute is chosen to continue his/her Afterschool classes. The new substituting teacher is paid according to the Afterschool Reading salary contract. Teachers are to notify the Afterschool Reading coordinator and/or school secretary whenever absent.

• All students must have a signed parental permission slip.
• All classroom and school rules must be followed.
• Children arrive for class on time.
• Children never leave the school building and reenter for ASR.
• Children serving detention, or children detained due to classroom problems, will be marked absent.
• At no time will Afterschool Reading be an acceptable excuse for not completing classroom homework assignments.
• Attendance is taken at each session. P = Present; A = Absent (excused such as illness or parent letter) X = Absent (unexcused NO notification). Children are dropped from the ASR program if they receive three UNEXCUSED absences in succession.
• Children bring own supplies or use materials given by the teacher.
• All students exit at 4:00. All leave school.
• Children who do not meet classroom grade expectations shall be dropped from program, if decided upon by the ASR and classroom teacher.

Application Form

Application Form 

Central Office Report

Removal from program