Creative Readers is an enrichment program for elementary school children that is made possible thanks to teenage volunteers.  Through this program, which is offered to students in grades K-5, children are learning to read at their full potential and express themselves through literature.

This program is funded by Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) and the Port Washington Library.  Creative Readers takes place in the Port Washington Public Library on Saturdays.  There are two sessions, one from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the next from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.  The sessions are broken up by age, with the earlier session exclusively for grades K-2 and the latter dedicated to students in grades 2-5.  The program consists of six sessions, and the parent must be able to commit their student to attend all sessions when they are signed up.

Each child in the Creative Readers program is paired up with a teenage buddy who guides them throughout the session.  Many Schreiber students found out about this opportunity through Key Club.

During the sessions, the students do more than just read during the hour they are there.  They are able to act out scenes of books, create art inspired by stories, present projects to the group, and even sing songs relating to what the have read that day.  It is intended to be a fun and educational experience where children are able to acquire new information without losing interest.

“I really enjoy the program because I love interacting with little kids.  They seem really happy and excited there,” said sophomore Julia Oppenheim.

Creative readers gives students the opportunity to socialize as well as learn.   There are kids from all five elementary schools and even some children from outside of the Port Washington School District.  This allows the students to meet new people, make new friends, and expand their social skills.
“I love volunteering there, and working with the kids,” said sophomore Sarah Tartell.  “I think it’s a really good opportunity to learn, and have fun, especially if you’re interested in working with kids in the future.”

With a maximum of twelve children per group, it is guaranteed that the elementary students and volunteers participating in Creative Readers will get a personal and unique experience.  This year, the program will run from Oct. 14 to Nov. 18, winter 2018 from Jan. 6 to Feb. 10, and spring 2018 from March 3 to April 1.  Creative Readers is a literary enrichment program designed for allowing students to have fun and work creatively.