Written by Chris Evans, Principal
With reading being one of the Portage Township School Corporation's goals, the staff at South Haven Elementary School has dedicated itself to ensuring the children are established and fluent readers with high levels of comprehension.
The teachers assess and monitor student reading levels to make sure targets are in place to promote reading success. In the primary grades, children learn to read. In the upper grades, children read to learn. Many of the South Haven programs are centered on reading and the goal of helping each child achieve at or above their grade level in reading. This process is a support of the school and corporation goals.
In 2008 South Haven Elementary School was awarded the State's Exemplary Reading Program Award. Since then, many reading centered activities for staff, students, and families have continued. Just recently one of two Title I parent nights was hosted at the building. The theme was "Reading Rodeo". A western themed reading night with centers that parents and children rotated through provided hands on activities as well as reading based events. Each child left with at least one book as a present to take home and read with or to their parents.
At the October School Board meeting, held at South Haven Elementary School, the staff and students highlighted our "Poetry in the Classroom" activities. Mrs. Connie White, Title I assistant, spoke to the audience and board about an idea she gleaned from a conference she attended with author Lester Laminack. For the past few years she has put poetry around the school building in prominent areas so the children can see and read them thus immersing the children in rich literature at every turn.
"Poetry Break" is another activity that was highlighted. Poetry Break is where children go into classrooms and read poetry selections to the classes that, again, exposes the children to a new genre of literature they may not be as familiar with but may prompt them to explore further.
The Indiana State Reading Association recently awarded a grant to Saylor and South Haven Elementary Schools that has been used to purchase books that will be used as a vehicle in the classroom to teach specific reading lessons. The book sections were taken from author Lester Laminack and titled "Lester's Learning Library" (L3). A portion of the grant money was also allocated for the purchase of these books to be used at Gabriel's Horn Homeless Shelter. These can be used by mothers who are helping their children get a jump on reading and a step up in their education. Specific lesson plans have been designed to be used in the classroom as well as the Shelter.
Reading is not only a Portage Township Schools goal but a Life Goal that is proven to be the hinge pin of success in a child's education and employment level. South Haven Elementary School has had a rich legacy of reading success and continues to strive for each child to achieve at their highest level.