West Salem’s Harritt Elementary welcomed a chorus of eager voices this week as it debuted a new virtual reading tutoring program for its first‑ and second‑grade students. The initiative, launched a month ago, pairs each child with a trained tutor who provides one‑on‑one instruction through a secure online platform.
Program structure and goals
Each tutoring session lasts 30 minutes and is scheduled during the school day, typically just before recess. The timing allows students to apply fresh reading strategies while they still have the energy of a morning class. Tutors, who are certified teachers or experienced literacy specialists, focus on phonics, sight‑word recognition, and comprehension strategies tailored to each child’s needs.
Student response
“I love reading with my tutor,” said Maya, a second‑grader who participated in the pilot. “It feels like a game, and I get better at sounding out words.” Teachers reported that the program has already sparked a noticeable increase in confidence among participants, with many students eager to share new words they’ve mastered.
Community involvement
The program is funded through a combination of district resources and a grant from a local education foundation. Parents were invited to a virtual information night in September, where district officials explained the tutoring model and answered questions about privacy and curriculum alignment. The district’s superintendent praised the effort, noting that “early literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning, and this program gives our youngest learners the individualized attention they deserve.”
Looking ahead
Harritt Elementary plans to expand the tutoring slots to accommodate all first‑ and second‑grade students by the end of the school year. Data will be collected to assess reading growth, and the district hopes to share best practices with neighboring schools in the Salem‑Keizer area.
For families interested in learning more or volunteering as tutors, the district has opened a portal on its website where additional information and application forms are available.
Original reporting: Salem Reporter — read the source article.
