Rynae Lechelt (left), Teacher at SouthPointe School, and Tamara Martin Spady (right), READ Specialized Reading Interventionist and K-3 Literacy Consultant at EIPS, stand next to SouthPointe students who have taken part in this year's READ pilot project.

Sherwood Park, AB. — Fifty Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) students in Grade 2 have been flipping to an exciting chapter of reading progress and growth during the Division’s Reading Enrichment and Development (READ) pilot project. “Owen has developed a great love for reading—prior to the READ program he showed zero interest in reading,” says Angela Loucks, parent of a student at Fort Saskatchewan Elementary. “Tamara Martin Spady has had a huge impact on Owen’s eagerness to learn to read, and he always spoke very highly of his time with her. The program definitely gave Owen confidence, and a new perspective on learning!”

In June 2023, the project was launched at five Fort Saskatchewan schools and two rural schools. The goal: improve student reading achievement through a powerful, targeted intervention program based on the science of reading. The READ program uses effective teaching methods and strategies to help students struggling with reading improve their literacy skills in a supportive and focused learning environment.

Tamara Martin Spady, the specialized reading interventionist for the program and K-3 literacy consultant at EIPS, meets with selected students in small groups of four at their school for 40 minutes—four days a week for two seven-week rounds of instruction. “It’s not just about reading—it’s brain science,” says Martin Spady. “There can be a lot of built-up frustration for these students, especially when they’ve got characteristics of reading disabilities, such as dyslexia. Through these strategies, we help students rewire and build up grey matter in their brains to better understand text. And it works! We also use puppets, games and other age-appropriate resources to make the learning multi-sensory, engaging and fun.”

The READ pilot project has seen several students increase their reading to grade level and leave the program altogether. “We’ve seen tremendous progress and growth for every student,” adds Martin Spady. “Reading is connected to accessibility. We want to set these students up for success, so they can pick any job they want in the future—without worrying about their ability to read.”

For the 2024-25 school year, the READ program will expand to almost every elementary school in the Division, and two teachers will join Martin Spady as specialized reading interventionists. “With classroom sizes and complexities, teachers are working so hard, but are struggling to find the time to address these needs,” adds Martin Spady. “I know many teachers wish they could help because they care so deeply—they just don’t have the capacity. That’s why I was so happy when the project launched. Students get to improve their reading, while teachers get to see the benefits of such intervention in the classroom and families get to celebrate their child’s success at home.”

“The confidence my child has gained is incredible,” says Aimee Skripitsky, parent of a student at James Mowat Elementary. “Any time prior to this program—when he would have to practice reading—he’d cry or throw a tantrum. Now, he’s willing to sit and struggle through a book. It’s an amazing transformation.”

Elk Island Public Schools is one of Alberta’s largest school divisions, serving approximately 17,750 students in 42 schools. We are proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties, and the western portion of the County of Minburn.

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For more information, media can contact:
Laura McNabb, Director, Communication Services, EIPS 780-417-8204 cell 780-405-4902