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GET INVOLVED
GIVE BACK
TAKE ACTION
MISSION: READ
Third Grade Reading Success
Literacy opens the door to a world of possibilities. However, in Georgetown and Williamsburg counties, more than half of third grade children struggle to read proficiently.
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Early-grade reading struggles can have life-long
consequences for both the child and the community.
50%
of students in Georgetown County aren’t reading on grade level by the end of third grade.
62.4%
of students in Williamsburg County aren’t reading on grade level by the end of third grade.
88%
of students who failed to earn a high school diploma were struggling readers in third grade.
3.5x
more likely for these students to be incarcerated.
We Saved You a Seat – Let’s Create Change Together!
OUR ROAD MAP FOR
THIRD GRADE READING SUCCESS
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90% OF CHILDREN READING ON OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE IN 2031
INCREASE
FAMILY
ENGAGEMENT
WE INFORM, ENGAGE, AND CONNECT FAMILIES WITH RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS BY:
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Providing free parenting classes and workshops in Georgetown and Williamsburg Counties, through Triple P - the Positive Parenting Program, supporting families and caregivers as they raise resilient children.
ELIMINATE SUMMER LEARNING LOSS
WE ARE WORKING TO PREVENT THE SUMMER SLIDE BY:
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Providing a free, out of school enrichment opportunity to elementary school students through Summer SAIL, a four week camp to help children maintain their learning in reading and math.
Children lose an average of 20% of their reading and 27% of their math skills over the summer, a phenomenon known as “the summer slide”.
CLOSE THE READING
GAP
BRUW, Georgetown County School District, and Williamsburg County Schools are working in partnership to close the reading gap by:
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Providing in-school literacy tutoring to struggling readers in K-3rd Grades through our Heroes For Literacy Program.
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Fostering a culture of literacy in first grade classrooms and increasing access to books through the Scholastic REAL Mentors Program.
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Supporting the capacity building and professional development of local educators in early grade reading instruction through our Waves of the Future Teachers Summit.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT MISSION: READ
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HEROS FOR LITERACY
Heroes for Literacy is an initiative where community members dedicate 1.5 hours each week to tutor children in reading. H4L is a volunteer experience open to individuals, companies, churches, and civic groups, that allows you to become an everyday hero in the literacy development of a child.
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Heroes for Literacy is more than a volunteer program; it’s a movement to empower our youth and strengthen our community. When you choose to serve, you’re not just helping kids read—you are opening doors to a world of possibilities.
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SCHOLASTIC
R.E.A.L. MENTORS
The mentoring program is an interactive read-aloud mentoring program that creates and supports a culture of literacy for 1st Grade Classrooms. Volunteers read and discuss four books with a designated 1st Grade Classroom and each student receives their own personal copy of the book to build their libraries.
WAVES OF POSIBILITIES
TEACHER SUMMIT
Waves of Possibilities is a local professional development conference for early grade teachers and child development partners. The summit will provide educators with strategies for increasing literacy for children Birth-3rd Grade across the tri-county area.
SUMMER S.A.I.L
Summer SAIL is a 4-week summer enrichment program that aims to prevent the “summer slide” and increase literacy rates in Georgetown and Williamsburg Counties.
Please contact Tylr Barr at TBarr@blackriveruw.org for more information.
TRIPLE P
Triple P (the Positive Parenting Program) is one of the most trusted parenting programs across the globe, utilized in over 30 countries. This evidence based program is a parenting and family support system designed to prevent and treat behavioral and emotional problems in children up to the age of 12.​
Black River United Way has been able to offer this program to our community since 2019, thanks to the partnership of the Children’s Trust of South Carolina.
Please contact Carolyn Williams at Carolyn@blackriveruw.org for more information.
