Windsor Rotary Rug Readers

The Windsor Rotary Community Foundation recently authorized the funding of $2761.74. half of which has already qualified for a District 5130 matching grant, for the purchase of special rugs for first-grade classrooms at Cali Calmécac.

This project strengthens our close partnership with Cali Calmécac Language Academy in Windsor. The club has funded the acquisition of special multi-color rungs that are the reading area for 140-150 first-grade kids.

These rugs, in with square colors, facilitate and enhance whole group instruction by providing flexible and manageable seating, saving instructional time and making the experience more enjoyable for the kids. The rugs provide a method for visually organizing the kids into areas or rows. The rugs also provide kids a space to practice dance and music. The classroom environment will be more inviting for parents and others (like Rotarians – specifically the Windsor Rotary Rug Readers!) to come in and read a story or do another activity with the students.

Rotarians in our club who become part of the Windsor Rotary Rug Readers Team will volunteer in these six classrooms – reading to students – particularly English language learners – and will benefit simply by their contact with these students and their high energy. When you add in the fact that Rotarians will be able to share the enthusiasm of these young people, it’s a real bonus.
Not to mention, there will be opportunities to color, to dance, even to sing. We may have a problem getting Rotarians on the team to actually leave the classroom – but we’ll cope with that if it becomes an issue.

We are working closely with the new Principal of Cali Calmecac, Sharon Ferrer, who is extremely excited to have Rotarians become even more involved with youngsters in the classroom and looking forward to our continued involvement providing extra ‘people’ resources for her staff.

Rotary will fund the purchase of the six rugs for the first-grade classrooms and participate in a presentation ceremony where the rugs will be presented to the school. Our Team Lead for this project is Susan Cole. Susan will be responsible for organizing a group of Rotarians who agree to volunteer in the classrooms; Rotarians will be reading to the students, coloring with them, and participating in other activities as appropriate. Susan will coordinate with the school on a volunteer schedule.  Susan will be instrumental in helping to arrange this.