What is WhizKids?

Temp856430000003146 · January 2011

I thought some of the teachers on this board might know. Is it just a one-on-one mentoring program? Or something different? I feel like I'm supposed to volunteer with them... but I don't really even know what it is or what would be involved with serving or tutoring. Anyone know?

kayleeb · January 2011

DH and I thought about volunteering for WhizKids at our church, but they meet from 3-5 and we both have work until 5 Sad

From what I understood, it's a program to tutor kids in reading. At our church, I think they have the same group of kids that come once a week from 3-5. Each volunteer is paired with a child and you stay with the same child every week. You help them read and anything else they might need help with. It sounds like a pretty cool program.

stripesandspots · January 2011

Whiz Kids is an outstanding organization and to be honest, Tavia, I think you would be an excellent addition to Whiz Kids. If you want, I can get you in contact with a Whiz Kids tutor that I know so you can ask questions. It is basically tutoring children (actually, I think the kids are as old as high school) from "inner city" schools. As Kaylee mentioned, it takes place from around 3 - 5 - and is sponsored by a church. This program is the only constant a lot of these kids have in their lives - such a great program to be involved in.

kayleeb · January 2011

Also, an interesting thing I heard about how the program got started. Apparently, the number of jail cells needed in Oklahoma is decided by how many people have below a 5th grade reading level. I guess people with low reading levels are more likely to commit crimes. So someone started this program to help kids improve their reading skills and (hopefully) lower crime rates.

Temp856430000003146 · January 2011

Thanks for the input girls! And thanks for the encouraging words, Stripes!

Kaylee - I emailed a woman who handles the new tutors and she said they have a class from 3-5 and 5-7! Not sure if that's just in our area or all over. I hope that can help you guys.

kayleeb · January 2011

tavia_martin:
Thanks for the input girls! And thanks for the encouraging words, Stripes!
Kaylee - I emailed a woman who handles the new tutors and she said they have a class from 3-5 and 5-7! Not sure if that's just in our area or all over. I hope that can help you guys.

Really?? I guess they just do 3-5 at our church. Would you mind sending me a PM with her email address?

stripesandspots · January 2011

kayleeb:
Also, an interesting thing I heard about how the program got started. Apparently, the number of jail cells needed in Oklahoma is decided by how many people have below a 5th grade reading level. I guess people with low reading levels are more likely to commit crimes. So someone started this program to help kids improve their reading skills and (hopefully) lower crime rates.

This may have been how it got started in another state but not here in Oklahoma. I went to the Whiz Kids banquet a few months ago and the story of how Whiz Kids got started in Oklahoma was pretty amazing. They have been in Oklahoma for 11 years now, I think.

gingerfeathers · January 2011

Chiming in.. our old church did it too (also from 3-5 or something like that so I couldn't participate). But it was an excellent program!!

stripesandspots · January 2011

tavia_martin:

Thanks for the input girls! And thanks for the encouraging words, Stripes!

Kaylee - I emailed a woman who handles the new tutors and she said they have a class from 3-5 and 5-7! Not sure if that's just in our area or all over. I hope that can help you guys.

5 - 7, eh? This is good to know......

What is WhizKids?

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