2009 Embassy Events
U.S. Embassy Volunteer Readers Provide Treats for Woodcock Primary School Students
June 11, 2009
Students at Woodcock Primary School were recently treated to their annual end of year cookies and ice cream break by Embassy volunteer readers. It took three assembly lines to serve the 410 students who waited eagerly as they lined up to receive their treats. While some volunteers wrapped ice cream cones, others scooped up the delicious dessert which came in a variety of flavors -- strawberry, vanilla, rum-raisin, cookies and cream, and chocolate. A third group wrapped home-made cookies, generously donated by the U.S. Charge d’ Affaires Timothy Zuniga-Brown, and prepared by his chef, Michael Kerr.
Embassy volunteers were ably assisted by American resident volunteer Shirley Ballad and two members of the Mamie E. L. Astwood Educational Foundation. Needless to say our volunteer team enjoyed the fun activity equally as much as the students.
The Woodcock Primary Reading program began four years ago as an initiative of then-U.S. Ambassador John Rood in an effort to stimulate the young minds, help them to develop a love for reading, and to improve their literacy skills. During the school year, Embassy volunteers read and interact with the students once a week for thirty minutes.
Adopting the successful Woodcock Primary Reading program as a model, in October 2008 former U.S. Ambassador Ned L. Siegel partnered with the Ministry of Education and launched a national reading program “Read To Lead”. The “Read To Lead” program is sustained by community volunteers and is now a fixture in all government primary schools in New Providence and in many of the Family Islands.