Read with Ruffy effort continues

Donations of stuffed dogs can be made to local schools or city library.

The Mountain Home School District is launching a "Read with Ruffy" program to help improve student reading skills -- and the district needs some help to get it going.

"Most children just seem to naturally love animals, and especially dogs," said district curriculum director Sherri Ybarra. "Imagine the positive motivation this gives to a child as they sit by, read to, and pat a calm and gentle dog.

"Unfortunately, not all children are comfortable around dogs," she noted. "Some children that have not had an opportunity to be with dogs may have a fear of them, and some may have severe allergies. Therefore, they can't be around dogs for health reasons.

"That's why the 'Read with Ruffy' Program is a great way to build excitement about reading," said Ybarra. "What a better way to improve a skill than to practice that skill."

The main objective of the program is to provide a relaxed and "friendly" atmosphere, which allows students to practice the skill of reading--but with a stuffed dog.

Many children who have difficulties with reading wind up as a result with self-esteem issues, Ybarra said. "They are often self-conscious when reading aloud in front of other classmates. And, by sitting down next to their stuffed dog, and reading, all threats of being judged are put aside. The child relaxes, pats the stuffed dog, and focuses on the reading. Reading improves because the child is practicing the skill of reading, building self-esteem, and reading becomes associated with something pleasant."

The school district has partnered with the Mountain Home Public Library to launch the "Read with Ruffy" program.

The goal is to provide all second grade students in the Mountain Home School District with a stuffed dog to read to, in order to develop a love for reading and to improve their reading scores.

The district and library are asking for donations of new and unused stuffed dogs to be dropped off at the Mountain Home Public Library or at Yatra Salon (240 American Legion Blvd.).

The goal is to collect 350 stuffed dogs to distribute to second-grade classrooms across the Mountain Home School District during the month of March, which is "Reading Month" across America. Ybarra and city Library Director Luise House will visit second-grade classrooms during the month of March, to inform the students of the importance of reading

Second-grade students receiving the stuffed dogs must pledge to "Read to Ruffy" for 20 minutes per evening. All second-grade students are eligible for a stuffed "Ruffy" dog.