Volunteers spend 30 minutes reading with a student and listening as the student reads aloud. Photo courtesy of the Folsom Cordova Unified School District

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Thirty minutes a week could help a Rancho Cordova student become a stronger, more confident reader.

Folsom Cordova Unified School District is seeking volunteers for its Community Readers Program, which pairs community members with students in first through third grades for weekly one-on-one reading sessions.

Volunteers spend 30 minutes reading with a student and listening as the student reads aloud. The program is designed to provide additional literacy support while helping children develop confidence and an interest in reading.

No teaching experience is required.

FCUSD provides volunteers with an orientation, reading-session tips and ongoing staff support. District staff members are also present during the sessions.

The program focuses on students in the early elementary grades, when reading skills increasingly become a foundation for learning in other subjects. By third grade, students begin making the transition from learning how to read to using reading as a tool to learn new material.

Community Readers sessions are offered Thursday afternoons, with opportunities available between 1:30 and 3 p.m. and from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Participating Rancho Cordova-area schools include Cordova Gardens Academy of Arts and Sciences, Cordova Meadows Elementary, Cordova Villa Elementary, Mather Heights Elementary, Navigator Elementary, Peter J. Shields Elementary, Rancho Cordova Elementary, Riverview STEM Academy, White Rock Elementary and Williamson Elementary.

New volunteers must attend a Community Readers orientation and complete the district’s volunteer clearance process. Requirements include submitting an FCUSD volunteer application, completing mandated reporter training, providing tuberculosis test results and completing a Live Scan background check.

Current district volunteers and cleared employees must also attend the program orientation and make sure their mandated reporter training remains current.

During the sessions, volunteers are asked to focus on reading, engagement and encouragement rather than formal classroom instruction.

The district is encouraging community members who enjoy reading and working with children to consider participating, emphasizing that the program does not require an extensive time commitment.

For volunteers, the role is 30 minutes each week. For participating students, the district hopes that time provides additional practice, encouragement and another adult supporting their progress as readers.

Those interested in becoming a Community Reader can register for an upcoming orientation and complete the district’s volunteer application through FCUSD.

For more information visit https://www.fcusd.org/.