Yesterday was the first day that Schools of Hope volunteers were working with some Yulupa first and second graders. Schools of Hope is a program sponsored by United Way of the Wine Country patterned on a program that started in Madison, WI in 1995. Only 46% of third graders in the elementary schools feeding into the Santa Rosa High School District read at grade level. The Schools of Hope goal is to raise that to 90% by 2020. Currently, there are 10 Santa Rosa area schools in the program.

This is the second year for Schools of Hope (SOH) at Yulupa. We worked with 28 first graders last year on phonics, sight words and reading in two half hour sessions per week. These students needed a little extra help to get to grade level. Only two second graders who had tutors last year need that extra help this year. We need several more volunteers to make sure that every student who needs help gets it. If you are interested or know someone who might be, please contact Barbara Fisher at the Volunteer Center (707) 573-3399 x122 or by e-mailing bfisher@volunteernow.org for more information.