+ How Does the Program Work?

• How are books chosen for the kids?

  • Coordinators choose based on the child’s interest and reading level, informed mainly by Reader recorded book logs.

• What are gift books and how often do kids receive them?

  • “Gift books” are the books that students take home ~ every other week

• What does this look like from a teacher or administrator viewpoint?

  • Teacher:
    • ~ a month into school, Read-Aloud Coordinator gives teachers student nomination paperwork.
    • This is used to set the student schedule, which is disseminated to teachers.
    • Starting in October, on Read-Aloud days, Readers pick up students from classrooms and return them after approximately 30 minutes.
    • Coordinator maintains communication with teachers to relay concerns, convey observed break-throughs, etc.
    • In late March or early April, Coordinator passes out year-end evaluation forms and family surveys (blue paper).
  • Administrator:
    • School contracts for Read-Aloud (budgets in December – April of year before programming).
    • A room is set aside for Read-Aloud use.
    • Read-Aloud administrators coordinate with WCCUSD Community Engagement to finalize contracts and approve/badge Volunteer Readers.
    • WCCUSD issues Purchase Order number; Read-Aloud sends invoice to school, school signs invoice and sends to WCCUSD Finance Department.
    • Read-Aloud starts in October, after the contract is approved and a quorum of Readers is approved.
    • In early October, teachers or office staff share students’ demographic and reading data with the Coordinator. If schools cannot provide data, they will furnish Read-Aloud with student ID numbers, so that Read-Aloud can make a data request of the school district.

• How are the schools chosen?

  • by need (Title I or under-resourced school), by school administrator interest and commitment, and volunteer capacity.

• What does this look like from a student’s point of view?

  • Regular Read-Aloud students are removed from class on a weekly basis to read with the same volunteer at the same time and place, from October - April. Students take home a gift book ~ every other week, at least 14 if they complete the program year.
  • an Alternate student fills in for Regular Read-Aloud students who can't make their regular time; all Alternate students should receive books on gift book day, or 3 books at the end of the year for being in the program.

• How are kids selected?

  • Students are nominated and prioritized by teachers. Their family or guardian must sign a permission slip before the student may begin.

• Can I sign my kids up?

  • No; teachers and adminstrators nominate and prioritize students.

• I got a permission slip for my child to join the program – why should I say yes?

  • Teachers recommend Read-Aloud to improve reading comprehension and self-confidence. Students in Read-Aloud read between 40 and 120 books in the program and choose 14-16 gift books to take home.

• My child’s teacher says that my child is an alternate – what does that mean?

  • Your child will only go to Read-Aloud when a regular student is absent. We attempt to read with Alternates at least once a year, and some are read to 8+ times. If a child drops out or another volunteer is added, your child has a chance to convert to a regular participant. Your child will still get books (we try to give alternates books at reading sessions or at the end of the year).

+ How Do I Become A Volunteer?

• Is this the right program for me?

  • I like reading to kids
  • I read in English at a 3rd grade level or above
  • I can pass a background check for working with kids and a TB test that shows that I am not infectious
  • I can commit to coming to a school (or Zooming for Online Read-Aloud) for an hour a week from October to April

  If you agree with all of these statements, we may be a match! Apply for more information.

• What are the steps needed for volunteering?
  • Apply
  • Get fingerprinted
  • Send office recent proof you don't have infectious TB.
  • Attend annual conference and training(s)

• How do I get a Read-Aloud contractor’s badge with the school district?
  • Apply to become a volunteer Reader! – Read-Aloud will handle the rest, and contact you for more information where needed

• How do I get fingerprinted?
  • When you apply we will give you the appropriate Live Scan Application Form and Live Scan Appointment link.

• How do I get a TB test?
  • Contact your personal physician, or make an appointment to visit one of these sites: Lifelong Brookside, Berkeley Free Clinic, etc.

+ How Else Can I Help?

• I’m a high school or middle school student – what can I do to help?

  • Be a summer program reader
  • Be an office volunteer
  • or help us recruit regular volunteers at outreach events.

• I can’t commit to weekly reading, can I still be a volunteer reader?

  • Yes! We always need Substitute Readers, to fill in for Readers who cannot make their regularly assigned reading sessions. Substitute Readers go through the same approval process.

• Can I donate by check?

  • Yes! Make checks payable to “Read-Aloud Volunteer Program” and mail to 13857 San Pablo Avenue, San Pablo CA 94806.

• Can I donate: books?

  • Yes! Read-Aloud accepts book donations. Please email Read-Aloud at info@read-aloud.org or call at (510) 237-0735 to discuss appropriateness and arrange a drop-off or collection. We also have an Amazon Wishlist.

• Can I donate: goods?
• Yes, please email Read-Aloud at info@read-aloud.org or call at (510) 237-0735 to discuss appropriateness and arrange a drop-off or collection. We love personal protective equipment, disinfectant, office supplies, and gifts we can give all the students (lots of ~250).

• Can I donate: used ink?
  • Yes, Read-Aloud turns in used printer cartridges and toner for Staples credit. Please email Read-Aloud at info@read-aloud.org or all (510) 237-0735 to arrange a drop-off or collection.

• Will I get a donation receipt?

  • If you donate directly by cash, check or goods, you will receive a donation receipt from Read-Aloud. If you donate indirectly (Network For Good, Benevity or YourCause) donation receipts will be issued by the portal, not by Read-Aloud (though we will send a thank you letter!).

• Does Read-Aloud have an AmazonSmile listing?

  • Yes, see Read-Aloud’s AmazonSmile page.

• Does Read-Aloud have an Amazon Charity listing?
  • Yes, see Read-Aloud’s Amazon Charity Listing.

• Does Read-Aloud accept employee giving plans?

  • Yes! We have accepted employer matches from Chevron through YourCause, Google and AirBnB through Benevity and Macy’s Gift Matching through their own program.

• Is Read-Aloud on Benevity/YourCause/NetworkForGood?

  • Yes, search for our EIN: 91-1839165

• How can I donate a portion of my RMD (required minimum distribution from a retirement account)?

  • See our FAQ listing on RMDs