Lourdes reading program prepares students for success

Intermountain Catholic

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Our Lady of Lourdes students receive specialized instruction in diagraphs and other intricacies in phonetics from teacher Heather Luttmer. IC photos by Christopher Gray

by Kathleen Leonard

Our Lady of Lourdes School

SALT LAKE CITY — Our Lady of Lourdes School created the innovative Learn for Success reading intervention program six years ago. At that time, intervention designed specifically for children with reading difficulties was in its experimental phase. Through the past six years, the program has expanded so that over 50 struggling readers each year are now given the help they need with explicit reading instruction. The program has shown significant results in identifying and working with children at-risk for reading failure.

At the beginning of each school year, children who are at-risk are identified by a curriculum-based reading assessment. Weekly progress monitoring is administered to assess adequate progress in reaching grade-level goals for those students receiving an intensive intervention or an in-class supplemental intervention. Trained reading personnel provide intensive intervention while the classroom teacher provides supplemental intervention. Children who do not meet grade-level goals reflected by a research-based assessment that is administered three times a year are determined to be eligible for supplemental or intensive academic support.

The intervention program incorporates several highly successful and research-driven intervention models designed to help struggling readers develop the kinds of skills and strategies that successful readers use. Carefully constructed instructional sequences and well-designed teaching routines utilize the components necessary to boost reading achievement. Instruction is developed with varying degrees of intensity depending on individual needs.

In addition to the focus on literacy throughout the day, Our Lady of Lourdes School provides an After-School Homework Lab. The lab has been in operation for three years and is designed to provide academic support for students who are behind in their daily work, or are struggling with academic concepts. Amanda Roberson, the school’s fifth grade teacher, provides intervention twice a week after school for 90 minutes a day. Working with classroom teachers provides the follow-up that students often require in order to be academically successful.

To negate learning lost in the summer, Sue Patillo, Our Lady of Lourdes School state-endorsed reading specialist, designed a highly innovative six-week summer intensive reading camp. This program builds vocabulary, provides small group intervention where indicated, and generally prepares students to be successful in the new school year. Our Lady of Lourdes School is proud to offer these specialized resources to their students and their families.

Our Lady of Lourdes School is holding Open Houses Sunday, January 28, Noon-2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 13, 5:30-7:00 p.m., and Wednesday, March 21, 9:00-11:00 a.m.. Please call Sue Patillo, reading specialist, or Armando Venegas, principal, with any questions about the Learn for Success programs at Our Lady of Lourdes School (801) 364-5624 or visit our website at www.lourdesschool.org.