The program aims to fill a need to screen children for reading
difficulties in early grades and provide resources for students who
need intervention.
WHITE
PLAINS, N.Y., April 17,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On Saturday, April 20 The Windward Institute, a
division of The Windward School, is partnering with Yonkers
Riverfront Public Library to provide free reading screenings to
students in grades K-3, where Windward-trained teachers will
evaluate participating children's reading and language skills.
Families will learn about their child's reading development, areas
that may require intervention, and considerations for school and
home.
"The Institute is excited to share this
knowledge through our free screening program to help more students
achieve reading success," said Alexis
Pochna, director of The Windward Institute.
The screenings, funded by a generous donation from a Windward
alumni family, aim to utilize the evidence-based methods and
experience of The Windward School to help families understand their
child's reading level and recognize where their child might need
additional help. Screening children early for reading difficulties
can help address issues that lead to reading failure and improve
literacy outcomes more broadly.
"Windward's highly effective programs and decades of experience
in the remediation of language-based learning disabilities have
helped thousands of students become proficient readers and
writers," said Alexis Pochna,
director of The Windward Institute. "The Institute is excited to
share this knowledge through our free screening program to help
more students achieve reading success."
Experts estimate that 1 in 5 children struggle with a
language-based learning disability like dyslexia, which can
manifest in children as a difficulty with reading or writing but
can have deeper negative effects on their educational experience,
especially in under-resourced communities.
"As part of The Windward Institute's outreach efforts, it is
critical to prioritize equity and access for all young readers and
reach more families and children in the broader community," said
Head of The Windward School Jamie
Williamson.
Each child participating in the screening will engage in a
thirty-minute activity that evaluates early word reading and
language skills. Program facilitators score the screenings onsite
and discuss results directly with families.
Each family will also receive a curated resources kit, which
includes free information tailored to the student's results. This
kit, combined with discussion of the student's results, empowers
families to understand their child's literacy development and
obtain resources they can use to build skills and advocate for
their child in school.
While the Yonkers Riverfront Public Library partnership is the
first of its kind for Windward, the donation enables the Institute
to offer these screenings free to the public, in perpetuity. In the
coming years, The Windward Institute aims to provide in-person
screenings in designated communities throughout the tri-state
area.
About The Windward Institute
The Windward Institute (WI) empowers educators, parents,
policymakers, and other leaders to have a positive impact on
childhood literacy rates worldwide. By leveraging The Windward
School's proven model of research-based instruction and the
remediation of language-based learning disabilities, the WI
provides a range of resources and outreach services for those
committed to translating research into practice, increasing access,
and improving the lives of children. Be informed. Be inspired.
Transform lives.
Media Contact
JP Bifone, The Windward School, 1 9149496968 2295,
jbifone@thewindwardschool.org, thewindwardschool.org
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SOURCE The Windward School