Volunteers Build Stronger Communities
The RSVP Rockin’ Readers Intergenerational Program began in 2002 as a collaboration between Ron Southard, former principal of Hodge Elementary in Denton and Diana Corona, RSVP Executive Director. Rod approached RSVP about developing a program for older adults to help instill the pure joy of reading with his young students and RSVP said. Shortly after, Hodge Elementary received a donated rocking chair, and the program became known as Rockin’ Readers.
In today’s society it has become increasingly important for young children to develop early reading skills. Numerous studies have shown that if students are reading on grade level by the time they hit 3 rd grade, it makes learning more complex subjects even more challenging. At this point, students transition from learning to read to reading to understand. Just 30 minutes of
focused reading can make a difference.
The Rockin’ Readers program currently operates in 3 school districts: Denton ISD, Lewisville ISD, and Little Elm ISD. Here are a few schools we’ve had a long standing relationship with in each school district, but you are more than welcome to get involved with a school in your neighborhood or one where you may have grandchildren or other family members attending.
- Denton ISD- Alexander Elementary, Borman Elementary, Hawk Elementary, Ryan Elementary, Ginnings Elementary
- Lewisville ISD- McAuliffe Elementary, Highland Village Elementary
- Little Elm ISD- Hackberry Elementary, Brent Elementary