Parents FAQ
Q: What do I have to do to sign my child(ren) up for the program?
A: You, the parent, do not need to fill out any application or form to sign your child(ren) up in order to participate in the America Reads program. The only thing that is required is to call the Program Coordinator, Danielle Perricelli, at 740-593-0354 and express an interest in the program.
Q: What does it cost to enter my child(ren) in the America Reads program?
A: Since America Reads is a community service catering to children primarily in Athens County, there is no cost to any parent/guardian wanting to enter their child(ren).
Q: What grades does America Reads work with?
A: The America Reads program serves children in grades Kindergarten to 6th grade that have been identified by their teachers as being below reading level for their grade.
Q: Besides reading, do the tutors work on any other subjects with the children?
A: No, America Reads tutors children solely working and focusing on reading and writing. Math, science, social studies, and other subjects are not part of or incorporated into the program.
Q: How often and how long are the tutoring sessions?
A: A typical week of tutoring consists of two sessions on two different days within that week that last for an hour each time.
Q: When, where, and at what times are the tutoring sessions held?
A: There are no set days, times, and places that the tutoring takes place at. When a child enters the program, he/she is paired up with a tutor from the program. The tutor contacts the parent/guardian to work out between the two of them when, where, and at what times the tutoring will take place. This is dependent upon the availability and the schedules of the tutor and the parent/guardian. As a rule and policy of the program, tutoring will never take place in the residence of the child. Public places, such as libraries, buildings at Ohio University, and the child’s school, are all acceptable places for tutoring.
Q: What do I need to do if I am running late, cannot make a session, or have to cancel?
A: If you, the parent/guardian, cannot meet with your child’s tutor for any reason, please contact the tutor directly to let them know that you will be late, have to cancel, and to reschedule. The tutors will gladly do the same in return if they, for any reason, are late or have to cancel and reschedule.
Q: What does my son/daughter need to bring to the tutoring sessions?
A: The program does not require materials to be brought to tutoring sessions, unless the tutor specifically asks the child to bring something. If sessions take place directly after school or later in the evenings, snacks can be brought so that the child may have something to eat and does not experience any discomfort during the session. It is a good idea to discourage your child from bringing toys and video games or any other distracting thing with them to the tutoring session unless the tutor has asked the child to.
Q: Do I need to be present during the tutoring sessions?
A: The parent/guardian is not required to sit through or to be present during the tutoring session. If the parent desires to be present or in the vicinity of the session, that is fine. Discretion is usually left to the individual tutor as well.
Q: Is it permitted for my child’s younger siblings and/or friends to come and participate in the tutoring sessions?
A: Since the tutoring sessions are designed to be one-on-one, younger siblings and/or friends are not encouraged to be present at the sessions. If younger siblings and/or friends are interested in being tutored, then please contact the program Coordinator, Danielle Perricelli, at 740-593-0354 to set up tutoring.
Q: Who do I need to contact if I am experiencing problems with my tutor?
A: If repeated conflicts and problems arise between the parent/guardian and the tutor, the program Coordinator, Danielle Perricelli, can be contacted at 740-593-0354.
Q: Can my child’s teacher work with the tutor in order to help with lessons for the tutoring sessions?
A: America Reads strongly encourages an active tutor-teacher relationship. If the parent/guardian grants permission on the Parental Permission form that is given to them on the first session of tutoring, then the tutor will proceed in cooperating with the child’s teacher in order to plan better lessons for the sessions. Please be advised that it would be a good idea to talk to your child’s teacher beforehand in order to see if they are willing or have the time to cooperate with your child’s tutor. When the tutor and teacher meet, the tutor will present them with a Teacher Permission form letting them know that you, the parent/guardian, have agreed to allow the teacher to cooperate with them. It will be then up to the teacher to decide if they want to or have the time to participate. If the parent/guardian denies permission on the Parental Permission form, the tutor will not proceed with that action.
Teacher FAQ
Q: What grades does America Reads work with?
A: America Reads works with children in grades Kindergarten through 6th grade that have been identified as being below reading level.
Q: If I have one or more students below reading level and are in need of tutoring, how do I refer them to the program?
A: America Reads gladly accepts referrals from teachers working with children below reading level. In order to refer them to the program, you, the teacher may contact the America Reads office or can pass along information about the program to the parent/guardian and have them contact the America Reads program Coordinator, Danielle Perricelli, at 740-593-0354.
Q: Am I, as the teacher, required to work with the tutors or participate in any of the tutoring sessions?
A: America Reads likes to encourage a strong and active tutor-teacher relationship. This helps to serve both parties in respect to the child in need of tutoring. The teacher is not required to help or participate in any of the sessions, but tutors and parents may ask you, the educator, to offer any advice or help that you may be able to lend. America Reads understands that the duties of an educator extend far beyond the classroom and that extra time to meet with tutors may not always be possible, but any time, effort, or resources that you would voluntarily like to donate to the program would be greatly appreciated.
Q: Does America Reads ever come to the schools or into the classroom and provide any services?
A: Since America Reads is a free community program serving primarily in Athens County, once every quarter the program goes into the community to conduct an event. Some events that have been done in the past include Book Drives, Reading Workshops, plays at local libraries, and even reading activities in the local elementary schools. If you would like to host an event and have America Reads participate, please contact the program Coordinator, Danielle Perricelli, at 740-593-0354 to check availability.
