Collins families join in learning at literacy center

Collins Elementary Principal Thomas Norris hopes a new literacy center will make learning a priority for his students and their parents.

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Education is a family affair, he said.

"I have children telling me all the time, 'Mom and Dad can't help me with my homework,'" Norris said. "By teaching a parent to read, you're adding to a child's vocabulary. You're only increasing what they'll do in the world."

The Family Literacy Center opened at Collins on March 4, and more than 100 parents and others have registered for literacy, computer and parenting classes. The first classes will begin at the center Thursday, said Katie Williams, coordinator for the 21st Century after-school programs at Collins.

The center is a partnership between Augusta State University and the 21st Century program.

Paulette Harris, the director of ASU's Literacy Center, worked with Williams on developing ideas for similar centers at Richmond County schools, Williams said.

Three years ago, Williams helped open a literacy center at East Augusta Middle School, which -- because of right-sizing in the school system -- now is a part of Hornsby Elementary School.

The school system also offered a literacy program at Tubman, which was also closed after right-sizing. About 30 parents at East Augusta and several parents at Tubman utilized the services at the literacy centers while they existed. The after-school programs will run along with the adult classes each day of school, Williams said.

"It's not just about reading," she said. "We will be helping parents with financial management, getting them signed up with a library card and other things. We want not just parents to come, because we need the whole community involved in helping these children."

The success at the other schools prompted Norris to agree to open a center at his school in January. About 25 percent of the parents at Collins could benefit from the literacy center, Norris said. He said he hopes parents and others continue to sign up for classes before they begin next week.

"I jumped on the opportunity when it was proposed to me," he said. "At the other schools, Dr. Williams saw their test scores improve. She saw a change in the schools. That's what I wanted for Collins."