AFCAAM

After School Reading Program recognized as "stellar" 

 

Fort Myers—The After School Reading Program at the African Caribbean American Center of Catholic Charities (AFCAAM) has been called “stellar” by the Lee County Public School system and it has the statistics to back it up. For the third consecutive year, the program has shown a more than 90% improvement rate for enrolled students.

 

The program is offered at two locations with one site showing 99% of all students improved in their reading scores and the other indicating that 94% advanced in their skills. About 90 local children in grades kindergarten to fifth grade from 11 feeder schools in Lee County attend the After School Reading Program and receive about 300 extra hours of reading during the school year.

 

“We enhance the education of the children,” said Bill Iwanicki, Director of the After School Reading Program. “This program is successful because of the input we receive from the schools within the Lee County community. I work very closely with the teachers from the schools that send students to us,” he said.

 

The After School Reading Program has nine teachers on staff. Iwanicki joined the program three years ago after serving 20 years as a school principal.

 

The program also collaborates with Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) to provide a Summer Reading Camp for students who need the opportunity to catch up on their reading skills during the summer. Under the direction of Dr. Sue Slick, an associate professor of reading, seven students seeking a master’s degree in reading and 15 students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in elementary education provided instruction to 25 campers this year.

 

“The FGCU student teachers were wonderful. They made the young campers feel very special,” said Iwanicki. “We benefit from each other. I hope to have continued success with Florida Gulf Coast University.”

 

Iwanicki operates the After School Reading Program and Summer Reading Camp on an “old school” ideal that learning to love to read is most important. “The love of reading brings about better reading comprehension which opens the doors to a successful career in school and life,” he said. “We try to pass that attitude on to our students.”

 

For more information about the After School Reading Program at AFCAAM of Catholic Charities, please call 239-461-0234.

 

Photo: Students, teachers and staff enjoy a pizza party at the After School Reading Program at AFCAAM of Catholic Charities.