GOLDEN —A group of nine kids with smiles on their faces gathered around their mentor, tutor and foster grandparent at last week for a quick round of introductions.
“Seeing her is one of my favorite parts of school,” said 8-year-old Luz Casillas.
Staff and teachers call her Grandma Charie, for the kids it’s Mrs. Platt, but all agree that Lakewood retiree Charie Platt has become an integral part of the school community after three years working one-on-one with a small group of youngsters to improve literacy skills.
Teachers identify students having academic difficulties related to economic disadvantage; Platt spends around 30 hours a week tutoring 11 kids in individual reading sessions, working in the school cafeteria and coordinating with teachers and parents.
“I love kids; the school is wonderful and everyone just goes out of their way to help you do what you need to do,” Platt said.
Platt spent 10 years in Head Start, retired about eight years ago then signed up for the nationwide Foster Grandparent program, a
She’s the only volunteer in , said Volunteers of America coordinator Naomi Taggart.
“Some schools do it differently, but here the mission of the program is literacy,” Taggart said. “For a kid that’s struggling, to just have someone being there who listens and cares about them, that’s huge.”
The purpose is to develop a special relationship with the children by providing extra attention and literacy tutoring beyond what teachers and staff can do.
The volunteers must have limited income, be over the age of 55, be able to serve 15 to 35 hours per week and be able to pass a criminal history background check. They receive a small tax-free stipend and transportation reimbursement.
Pleasant View parent liaison Susan Demboski said kids, parents and staff love having Platt in the school. The kids gravitate toward her as a resource and role model, and even students proficient in reading ask to work with her.
“She’s really a vital part of the school community,” Demboski said. “Staff, parents and kids not only like her for just being here, but it helps them understand the value of, and the profound impact volunteerism can have.”
Platt has lived in Jefferson County since 1961. One of her daughters attended Pleasant View, and she said volunteering helps not only fulfill her passion of working with kids, but also keeps her occupied and connected to the community.
“I’ll probably keep doing this until I can’t do it anymore,” she added.
Pleasant View principal Janace Fischer said . Platt is one more resource to help pull struggling students across the finish line.
“The stakes are higher now … she did summer school and helped prevent what’s called the summer slide,” Fischer said.
After a 20-minute reading session with Platt at a table in an empty hallway, 6-year-old Christian Ramirez said he doesn’t want her to leave.
“I think it’s fun because I love to read,” he said. “I hope I can keep reading with her next year.”
Austin Briggs: 303-954-1729, abriggs@denverpost.com or twitter.com/abriggs
Foster grandparent program
For more information about volunteering, contact Naomi Taggart at 303-297-0408 or ntaggart@voacolorado.org.
