The RSVP Reading Partners has opened a new site at the Linden Elementary School in Malden. The Reading Partners program pairs senior volunteers with students in grades K-3 to reinforce and support the students’ literacy skills. The staff at Linden was excited to begin the program—ten busy teachers came to an after-school meeting to find out more about Reading Partners and to make referrals of students who would benefit from the program. Currently there are two volunteers placed at Linden. Each volunteer spends an hour a week with each of four children in grades K-3. However, there is a waiting list at the school for the program so MVES is seeking additional volunteers!

Each school in Malden has an area of specialty. The Linden school’s emphasis is communication and the humanities through a multimedia approach. Linden has also established a focus on Seven Habits of Mind that help children learn and mature. The Habits are Respect, Responsibility, Inquiry, Communication, Perseverance, Choices, and Connections. As with many Malden schools, Linden has a large population of students who speak English as a second language. Many of these students benefit significantly from the one-on-one literacy support that our tutors provide.

Reading Partners is currently looking for new volunteers for Linden and other schools in Malden and Waltham. All that is required is a love of children and a desire to help. Training is provided. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Laura Krebs, RSVP Literacy Program Coordinator, at (781) 324-7705 or lkrebs@mves.org.