Reading program meant to inspire back-to-schoolers

Going back-to-school can be rough for kids that have spent months having fun and not worrying about school, homework or teachers.

But school is serious business to Ellen Nichols of the New Horizons Super Kids Club at Rosemary Park in Bonita Springs.

She organized a week-long reading program intended to make sure her kids were up to speed with their classmates.

“This is a getting back-to-school reading camp and it’s a way for them to get some extra skills for school,” said Nichols, who has been running the program for four years. “I want them to be ready for school and be confident.”

During the week, kids spent time reading with tutors, discussing stories and even working on vocabulary assignments on laptops.

“They get technological lessons and by the time they leave here we train them to use computers and they are better prepared for school,” said Nichols whose focus is language, vocabulary and reading.

The children, ages five through 12, attend the program that includes Christian lessons at the end of the four-hour day.

“Everyday they get faith-based lessons,” said Nichols who hosts sing-alongs about Jesus and how he helps kids.

Sally Ritter is a staff member at the club who performs stories that help kids get involved in the Christian lessons.

“I think it’s a great program. I love it,” said Ridder, who helps during the reading time and anything else the kids need. “The kids are great and I know they will do well (in school).”

As part of the reading week the kids also created crafts that they could take to school such as pencil cases, bookmarks and a key chain to decorate their back packs.

They also received a book they could take home for reading time with their parents.

“These kids are going to be ready. We want them to be confident and feel prepared for school with the supplies that they need,” said Nichols who will be expanding her services into East Naples and the Manna Christian neighborhood.

As an added bonus this year, Nichols wrote a letter to the Costco in Naples asking them to donate school supplies.

“I heard that they help the community and these kids need it more than anybody,” she said.

Janie Shirley is part of the marketing team that received the letter and decided to help.

“We help kids that need it and we had some bags left over so we decided to give these away,” Shirley said. “It’s a blessing because as much as the community, we are in business with, we have an opportunity to give back to the kids.”

The donation marked the end of the camp that will recess for a few weeks until more volunteers are secured to help kids throughout the school year.

“Everything they do here is grade level instruction and we make sure they get the extra help they need during school,” Nichols said.