The Help Me Read Program was established in the Rochester City School District in 2006 with the help of Bishop David J. Singleton and Celebration of Life Community, Inc. The Help Me Read Program is dedicated to improving graduation rates in the City of Rochester and is a one-on-one in-school tutoring program at the elementary school level.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has been a sponsor of the Help Me Read Program at School No. 17 since 2009. Employees have volunteered their time throughout the school year helping children learn how to read.
Employees are now giving back to students at School No. 17. Volunteers are giving a new pair of winter boots to all students in grades one through three, regardless of whether they participated in the Help Me Read Program. Employees collected boots for 159 students.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield employees, tutors, volunteers, and board members from Celebration of Life Community, Inc. will meet at School No. 17 to read, “Holly’s Red Boots” to each of the classes in grades one through three. Following the reading, the book will be donated to the class, and boots will be presented to each student.
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Mascitti-Miller said, “We are so fortunate to have community partners like Bishop David Singleton and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. We’ve heard from students who have gone through the program, and it’s so heartwarming to hear about their experiences in their own words. Through this program many of our students are now on or above grade level.”
###
