RIT is an acronym for Reading Improvement Team. The Team at Hamilton Br. 3 consists of a specially trained Reading Assistant, working with the classroom teachers and the administrator to improve the reading skills of children who qualify according to the Iowa test scores. The children go to the RIT room in groups of six to ten, once a day for 40–45 minute periods, with other children who need work on the same skills. Our reading assistant in Mrs. Ilona Dickson, an extremely knowledgeable, experienced, classroom teacher, who took special training to become a reading teacher and was then reassigned to Hamilton Br. 3. She had taught in this building first in a room of [designation unclear in source] and then as a second grade teacher. We consider ourselves very lucky to have her, especially since she serves as “Teacher in Charge” when our principal is out of the building.
Mrs. Dickson is urging all the children in her program to read at least one extra book this month. Mrs. Dickson says, “Please, parents, encourage your children to read. Perhaps a half an hour each evening could be set aside for reading, with the television turned off for that particular time.”
Originally published in The Paper, February 1978.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: The printed “assistant in Mrs.” and classroom designation “I5” require review; no guessed grade is supplied.
Original source: SD_Times1978_02.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
