The ABCs of success: District 9 hosts Reading Conference

By Denáe Brewer
Editor-in-chief

It was the parents’ turn in the classroom. On a brisk November morning, parents in District 9 were greeted with the smell of bacon and eggs wafting through the halls, and the agenda was reading.

On November 2 at C.E.S./I.S. 218, District 9 sponsored the second annual district reading conference.

“This turnout is great,” said District 9 Superintendent Dr. Stanley Mims. “Who says parents in our district don’t care enough about their child’s education?” Parents like Renee Rucker care. Found with an armful of books designed to help her two children, ages 7 and 5, succeed in school, she understands the importance of reading. “It’s great to have something like this where parents can get involved,”

Ms. Rucker, whose children attend C.E.S. 126 in Highbridge, already takes an active role in her children’s education. “I try my best to put in extra time when it comes to their homework.” Ms. Rucker said. Impressed by the vendors selling materials at the conference, she admits, “It’s nice to have information on what my children should be reading and how I can help them on future reading tests.”

“That is exactly what this conference is about,” said Dr. Mims. In a district where 75 percent of the children read below grade level, Mr. Mims stressed how he plans to change that statistic. “Our new campaign is Reading by 9,” he explained. “We intend to have 90 percent of our children reading at or above grade level by age nine. It’s not impossible. It just takes a little ingenuity. ”

Conference vendors agree with the district’s efforts. Charles Webb, owner of Mind Games — an education program designed to teach children grammar, math and general self esteem through hip hop — feels that in today’s world, unconventional approaches to teaching is the key to success.

“If kids can learn the words to songs as soon as they come out,” Mr. Webb explained, “we feel that if you apply music to teaching, they can grasp that too.”

Martin Price, whose daughter attends C.E.S. 109, is pleased with the district’s efforts and cannot wait for the academic turn around.

“I am tired of all the bad publicity this district gets,” he said. “Our children, and teachers are trying hard and need our support.”

The extra effort is already showing. Out of 36 school districts throughout the city last year, District 9 was ranked last.

According to Dr. Mims, this year the district is 30th. “We are moving up,” he stressed. “In time, we could even be in first place.”

The district intends to hold more conferences. Comprehensive math and science workshops are planned for the spring.