By Ivy N. McQuain, NDG Contributing Writer
Reading is the essence of basic understanding. For the children of the Summer Reading Program held at the Bear Creek Community Church reading and learning is a delight. For the past six years Maurice and Ruby Walker have given their time to students from throughout Dallas in all grade levels seeking remediation and enrichment, as well as, for high school students seeking to gain community service hours for their resume.
“We started this program because Maurice and I were already tutoring students from our schools on reading and other subjects, so much so that the kids wanted to extend it out into the summer months,” said Ruby Walker, a longtime educator. “When we decided to say, ‘OK let’s expand and have a summer reading program we reached out to Bear Creek and Pastor Dennis Webb was more than delighted to allow us to use the facility because he had always dreamed of having a program like this. And here we are six years later.”
The Bear Creek Summer Reading Program started in 2006 with one mission, improve kids reading capabilities, but what the program has taught the kids far surpasses just reading. The students of the program have developed into leaders in their classrooms, standing out in their grade levels. They have also learned to be BOLD, a principal Maurice Walker practices and preaches to his students. The entire program only cost parents $125 and included breakfast, lunch and field trips for students.
While this is the Walkers final year hosting the program, the North Dallas Gazette is proud to sponsor the entrepreneur aspect of the program. Last year our staff worked with the students and the volunteer teachers, to put together a newsletter for the entire Dallas area to enjoy. The program kicked off earlier in July and will end on July 26, culminating in the printing of the community newsletter.
Last year the students were full of energy as they took on the roles of editors, photographers, graphic designers and staff writers. This year is no exception with 17 students eager to participate in what could be the program’s final year.
The role of managing editor was assigned to Ryan, a Ranchview High School junior who boldly stated, “I was born to lead.”
His staff ranges in age from 8 to 16 and he looks forward to producing this year’s newsletter edition, making it even better than last year. The kids have enjoyed special guests and field trips and will close out the program, which only runs for a month, with a ceremony to acknowledge the accomplishments of the students and volunteers.
Volunteer teachers, Ms. Cunningham and Ms. Walker, enjoy being able to truly teach the students in their own way without interference from others. Both of the ladies have volunteered their weekdays for five and three years, respectively.
The North Dallas Gazette staff is excited to work again with the Bear Creek Summer Reading Program and cannot wait for our readers to enjoy the issue on July 26.
