"A child who cannot read at grade level at the end of third grade
is at significant risk of becoming a high school dropout."

AAUW Port Townsend (and the University Women’s Foundation of Jefferson County) partners with Chimacum Creek Primary School to provide a phonics tutoring program for all kindergarten students.  The goal of the program is to improve the high school graduation rate by teaching all kindergarten students basic reading skills. Volunteers tutor groups of three to five children for twenty minutes, twice a week.   The Phonics Program has helped Chimacum Creek kindergarten students master reading and spelling skills far beyond previous classes, exceeding everyone’s expectations.

If you want to make a difference, think about becoming a phonics tutor for only 1 hour, once a week.  Tutoring sessions are held on Tuesday and Thursday, morning and afternoon.  This program is simple, fun, and effective.  You will receive your own resource book.  It explains why phonics works and how to teach it.  You will also receive a volunteer notebook with step-by-step lesson plans.  All materials are provided and training is held in the fall.  Additional training is scheduled throughout the year as needed.  The program is designed for tutors who do not have a teaching background and you do not have to be a member of AAUW.  Substitute tutors are also needed.  The Phonics Program is simple and fun, rewarding, and it works!

For more information, contact program co-chairs Sue McKay and Vicky Miller at phonics@aauwpt.org.