Learning to FLY!

Empowering parents to see themselves as their child’s primary teacher – while allowing parents to take advantage of adult literacy classes and their children acquire early learning education. That is what Family Literacy Yes! (FLY!) aims to achieve.

Preschool-aged children attend early learning classes at Quality Life Center free of charge while their parents take English as a Second Language (ESOL) or GED preparation classes at Dunbar Community School. The final component of the program takes place weekly when the parents and children spend time together reading. Each week, parents are given a book to take home.

This opportunity for early learning development and adult literacy comes about through a collaboration with Quality Life Center, the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, the Hunter Institute at FGCU, Dunbar Community School and the Barbara Bush Foundation.

An unexpected benefit of the program has been the diversity that has been added to the early learning classrooms with children from Haiti, Uzbekistan and a variety of Spanish-speaking countries. “The different cultures the children bring to the classroom adds a richness to the educational experience that could not be achieved otherwise,” said Early Learning Instructor Nephtalie Loiseau.

A few new spots will be available beginning in January. To qualify, parents must not have a high school diploma or GED, enroll in an adult class at a Dunbar Community School, family income is at or below the federal poverty level and have a child age 2-5 years old.  For more information, call Larry Aguilar at Quality Life Center, 239.334.2797. Quality Life Center is a Barbara Bush Family Literacy Program Provider.

Literary Upgrade

“I like to be smart,” said 6-year old Makayla when asked why she likes to read. She is happy because the library at Quality Life Center now has a huge section of Junie B. Jones books. “I’ve read almost all of the Junie B books,” she said.

The library at Quality Life Center sees a lot of happy faces these days thanks to a grant from The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation.  The foundation provided $2,880 in funding for new books for the library which had been started and sustained solely through donations.  With the assistance of Jubilee Brainerd, Senior Librarian and Branch Manager of the Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Library, the center was able to purchase over 400 books.  Ms. Brainerd provided guidance, and was able to help staff determine how to make the most of the funding.

The inspiration behind the project was volunteer Bettye Middlebrooks who undertook the massive task of sorting, organizing and labeling books with Accelerated Reader codes to help students meet school-set reading goals. It was a lot of work, but teens and other volunteers, including students from FGCU and Florida SouthWestern came to help.

“I was motivated by the need,” said Ms. Middlebrooks. “Kids would come to the library, looking for a book, and could not find something suitable.” Students can now easily locate books appropriate for their reading level, and with a flip of the page know how many AR points they will earn from reading each book.

Schools closest to Quality Life Center have pass rates averaging 37% on the 2014 FCAT in reading. “Literacy is one of our areas of focus,” said the center’s Academic Specialist Mitzi Ritter. She noted several students who did not like reading, and refused to read. “Now we have current books, graphic novels, and books about subjects that interest them. Not only will [those students] read now, but they want to finish the book.” Last year, 89% of Quality Life Center students increased their reading level or maintained an A or B in reading.

Inspired by a book written by world-renowned dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen, Q student Shannarie, 10, says that she really loved that a book she found in the library was about her favorite activity - dance. “But, I really like that it was about believing in yourself.”

“If children can read books here while meeting their school goals and build their self-confidence, then our efforts -and believe me, this was a lot of effort by many people- were worth every minute, day and weekend we dedicated towards enhancing the Q’s library,” concluded Ms. Middlebrooks.