Educating the children of the community is a responsibility that can’t fall to the public school system alone.
Though the school system’s job is to do just that, it needs partners — parents, grandparents, guardians and even churches. St. James Baptist Church understands this and has created a reading program for second- and third-grade students. Through July 28, teachers will be meeting every Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. with young people to focus on reading comprehension and literacy skills.
“I was presented the problem with the third grade reading gate where students, regardless of their grades, would be held back. I was asked what could the church do, and I presented it to the congregation,” Rev. Larry Jointer said.
He’s referencing the state-mandated reading gate that seeks to determine reading proficiency of third-grade students. If students can’t meet a minimum score, they won’t promote to the fourth grade.
“It’s not about religion, it’s about relationships. Healthy relationships build a healthy community, a healthy church and a healthy school,” Jointer said.
He’s right. If more members of the community were invested in the lives of young children, we would have fewer dropouts, less crime and more vibrant neighborhoods.
Somewhere along the way, too many of us decided to leave education only to the school system. We forgot that the foundation of a quality education — and a quality school system — must be constructed in the community, in homes and churches.
We are thankful that St. James Baptist Church has committed to helping those students who struggle with reading. The community and its children will be stronger because of it.