Application Guidelines for Schools

The principal of each school interested in applying to The Wonder of Reading, must call to request an application.  Since the principal plays a key role in in implementing the 3R Program (Renovate, Restock, and Read) at the school, it is vital that we are in direct communication.  For your reference, here is a list of guidelines that each of our schools must meet to request an application.

A.  Literacy Leadership Team should:   

1. Meet at least once a month 
2. Focus on school literacy programs
3. Focus on establishing the Wonder of Reading volunteer program 
4. Focus on the library facility (ex. maintenance, book collection, hours of operation, etc.)                                                                                                            

B.  RENOVATE:
The elementary school library is renovated to make it more useful and more inviting to young students.  The  library space is expanded to include story steps for group reading, individual work stations for one-on-one reading, and a cove for quiet reading.  Renovations also include new carpet, paint, window treatments, and bookcases.

1. The school must have the space necessary for the expansion of the library.  We double the size of the library, the required space is two connecting rooms each the size of a regular classroom or approximately 1,500 square feet.  Storage rooms and workrooms are not acceptable.  The two rooms selected must be in permanent buildings; bungalows are not acceptable.  The two rooms must be identified before a school applies to The Wonder of Reading.
2. The school must have in place a minimum of $35,000 ($10,000 books + $15,000 B-letter contract + minimum $10,000 for items excluded from the standard scope of work) to request an application.  For your reference, most schools spend more than $35,000.  (Some schools have spent approximately $90,000 for the entire project.)  
3. Following is a list of the standard items provided in the scope of work for all Wonder of Reading libraries:
   • Three reading stations for volunteers to read one-on-one with their student
   • Cozy area for individual reading (carpeted nook in the library)
   • Amphitheater (story steps) for group reading and storytelling
   • 120 lineal feet of 83" high bookcases including three adjustable shelves
   • New carpet (selected from Wonder of Reading’s carpet selection)
   • New paint (selected from Wonder of Reading’s color palette)
   • New window blinds
4. The school incurs the cost of any items that are not included in the standard scope of work.  Following are some examples of items not included:
   • Partial removal of a structural wall between the two rooms (remaining wall will require retrofitting and engineering)
   • Asbestos abatement and lead abatement
   • Electrical outlets or technology that need to be added or removed
   • Control desk (designed by Library and Information Services, LAUSD; accommodates three student computer stations and one adult computer station)
   • Furniture (tables, chairs, storage cabinets, display cabinets, etc.)
   • Extra bookcases, extra bookshelves

C.  RESTOCK:
$10,000 goes toward restocking the school library's book collection. 

1. In the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) the school works with Library and Information Services to select books and coordinate the book order.  If you are a school outside of LAUSD, you would work with the appropriate department in your district.  The Wonder of Reading does not order the books for your library. 
2. We encourage schools to have their book collection weeded and to start the process of automating the library before applying to The Wonder of Reading.  LAUSD schools should contact Library Services for assistance with weeding and automation.

D.  READ:
While the library is under construction, The Wonder of Reading and the school work together to recruit volunteers to read one-on-one with students who are struggling readers.  Volunteers read with their students for one hour a week during school hours for the entire school year.  Many of our volunteers have read with the same student for several years, making a tremendous impact on the child’s life.

1. The school commits to recruiting 30 volunteers to read one-on-one with students for an hour every week during the school day.
2. The principal appoints a Volunteer Coordinator to oversee the volunteer effort at their school.
3. The Wonder of Reading meets with the school's Library Leadership Team to discuss volunteer recruitment methods. 
4. Each time the school has recruited 30 volunteers, The Wonder of Reading provides an extensive three-hour training at the school site.
5. The three-hour volunteer training session is student-centered, and involves many different techniques, including paired reading, reciprocal questioning, word games, phonic exercises, writing, etc. Developed by Dr. Philip Kligman, professor of elementary education at California State University, Northridge, the volunteer training focuses on having fun with reading by buidling upon the child's interests.  It emphasizes getting students excited about reading so that they will become life-long readers and thus life-long learners. 
6. Teachers select students from their classroom to participate in this program.  Typically, the students chosen are one or two grades behind in their reading.  Teachers also select students who do not actively participate in class activities, have a difficult family life, need practice reading and speaking English with an adult, or could benefit from the special attention of a reading partner.
7. The Wonder of Reading provides a significant amount of support for the volunteers, and our staff is available each day to answer questions or to provide assistance.  We work closely with the school-designated Volunteer Coordinator to support the volunteers' needs.  However, volunteers should get their primary support from your school. The school commits to recruiting, nurturing, and growing their volunteer reading program for the long-term by maintaining a Volunteer Coordinator and Lirbrary Leadership Team. The volunter program at our schools is ongoing.  We partner with the schools to oversee the volunteers' work and continue to train new volunteers on site as the school recruits them.
8. We offer trainings throughout the year; these training are open to new volunteers at all our schools.

E.  Ongoing Relationship:

We consistently seek to enhance the program by soliciting input from the principal, volunteers, students, and teachers.  All are asked to complete annual questionnaires.

Additional programs are available to broaden the ongoing relationship with each Wonder of Reading school.  The resources we provide include:

1. Annual Wonder of Reading Forum
2. Annual training for school appointed Volunteer Coordinators
3. Wonder of Reading Literacy Grants