What is Reading Rocks?

Reading Rocks is a mobile classroom for up to six students at a time who need extra help to improve their reading skills. Presently, the project is working with second graders, recommended by their teachers, who are not quite reading at grade level. The goal is to make sure students can read at or above their grade level before entering third grade.

Why are third grade reading skills so important?

Third grade is a pivotal point for elementary students because it marks the transition from learning to read to reading to learn. A report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that students who weren't reading well in third grade were four times more likely to drop out of high school. Third grade may be too late for struggling students to attain the skills they need, which is why this project works with students before third grade.

How do I volunteer to help with Reading Rocks?

Reading Rocks volunteer opportunities are open to community members who want to help students learn to read better. Volunteers do not need to be members of Rotary, but they are welcome to join Rotary Club of Clearwater East to be part of an international organization dedicated to making the world better for future generations and serving today's communities through volunteer service and funding.

Do I have to be a member of Rotary to volunteer?

Rotary welcomes community volunteers to work with us on our projects. While we like to have you join our group, it is not necessary to help on this project. All that is necessary is a willingness to help where needed, a good attitude and a desire to make our community better one child at a time. We also ask that volunteers follow through on their commitment to this project by keeping the coordinator informed on their availability and show up when agreed upon.

What about background checks for volunteers?

Volunteers who work directly with students or on the bus when students are present will need to have a background check, including checking volunteers’ names against the state sex offender registry and checks of the sexual offender/predator registry. A level 2 background check from work or other volunteer activities is acceptable. Checks need  to be reviewed annually.

Volunteers who work in administration, maintenance or book handling only are not subject to a background check but will be prohibited from working when students are present unless they submit to a background check.

Who is teaching the students?

We are looking for both active and retired classroom teachers, particularly reading teachers, who can commit to a regular classroom schedule, two hours once or multiple times per week. Assignments can accommodate vacations or other schedule changes with advance notice. We also need substitutes when the regular teacher has other commitments.

Since students will rely on the class each week, teachers will be compensated on a per-class basis. We are looking for responsible adults who show up when needed. Classes are generally 1 hour long but we may have 2 consecutive sessions per week in a community. Level 2 background check is required.

Teacher-oriented classes will be supplemented with internet-based learning and practice reading with volunteers.

Who is driving the bus?

We are looking for both active and retired bus and truck drivers who can commit to a regular driving schedule, which can be special events/on demand only, once per week, or multiple times per week. Assignments can accommodate vacations or other schedule changes with advance notice.

Since students will rely on the bus arriving on schedule, drivers will be compensated on a per-trip basis. We are looking for responsible adults who show up when needed. Level 2 background check is required.

Where will the Reading Rocks bus be?

Reading Rocks bus will initially serve the High Point neighborhood, with Coral Heights and Ridgecrest neighborhoods in the near future. These mid-Pinellas communities have been identified as lacking library access and community activity centers. 

The bus will show up at the same time in the same place, as designated, on a weekly basis. We encourage residents to visit us to find out all the activities we can provide, take a book home or participate in the classes.

Does Reading Rocks give books away?

The Reading Rocks bus shelves are filled with donated books, which will be distributed in the same neighborhoods at no charge. There are a variety of non-fiction subjects, including biographies, cookbooks, parenting, science, self-help, technology, arts & crafts and history. Fiction books range from popular series to romance, science fiction, sports, young adult, contemporary life and adventure.

Are there going to be story hours?

Reading Rocks will offer outdoor story hours for younger children in the communities we have designated. We encourage families to attend and will often provide a copy of the book being read for each family who participates.

What about adults who need some help improving or learning to read?

The Reading Rocks project will expand into Adult Literacy as our programs develop. This program will help adults who want to improve their life by learning to read or improving basic reading skills. This can lead to a better job, less secrecy and stress, better understanding and improved financial situations, plus personal satisfaction.

We will also offer Financial Literacy to help families manage their money better and understand common financial pitfalls they may run into in everyday life, including banking, credit and loan terms, credit management, predatory loans, how retirement plans work, budgeting and financial scams.