Reading Enrichment by and for Greater Loretto

**Loretto Makes Learning Fun! —** Students and teachers participate in learning activities at Loretto Child Care Center. Clockwise from left, are Alyssa Hagan, Nancy Wittwer, Pauline Albin, Autumn Hagan, Kaye Edwards and Gavin De Spain.
Photo by Marie Lourde Steckler

By Angela Bianco and Kay Carlew

It all began with a good idea and a question — why don’t we …? And then it came together. Kay Carlew did her capable networking and

the Loretto City Council made the Senior Center available three mornings a week;
the City Council approved monies for snacks;
Corwin’s flooring donated rug remnants for floor coverings;
Marion County Library allowed us to sign out almost 50 books for use during the four weeks of the program;
Loretto Child Care Center advertised the event to all clients;
funding from Loretto’s “Neighbor to Neighbor” funds paid for games, puzzles, workbooks, etc.

From left, Raelyn Thompson and Macy Miles work on their small motor skills with Angela Bianco at Loretto Child Care Center.
Photo by Marie Lourde Steckler

Then came the teachers: Imelda Therese Marquez, Pauline Albin, Ann Barrett, Eileen Kersgieter, Nancy Wittwer, Kay Carlew, Angela Bianco, Marie Lourde Steckler, Bernie Feeney, Mary Gutzwiller and Kaye Edwards. A staff member from the Child Care Center became the rotating staff on different days.

Clockwise from left, are Autumn and Alyssa Hagan, Kay Carlew, Cameron Hood, Eileen Kersgieter and Gavin De Spain.
Photo by Marie Lourde Steckler

We offered the program for 4 to 10 year olds, Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings for four weeks. We procured teaching tools from Amazon, and each teacher used her own aids and those we had available. By the end of the program, 16 youngsters and one lovely 2 year old (Morgan with her mom) attended on different days.

The teaching staff members came bright and early with their props.

Songs, snacks, exercises and fun were part of the mid-morning snack break, and the last day was enhanced with goody bags offered by Earna Volk for each participant.

Clockwise from left, are Ethan Alvey, Addison Miles, Ann Barrett and Trent Miles.

The good idea will be expanded for next summer, with the possibility of volunteers offering their skills during the school year at Marion Elementary School.