Rotary Clubs interested in bolstering their literacy programming, locally and / or through international initiatives, can now get and use a branded Free Reading Program (FRP) campus at no cost.
The Free Reading Program is a comprehensive, online English literacy program designed to enable children and adults to learn to read, write and speak English – whether they are new to English or just need extra help. The program follows the complete English course curriculum common in North America from K to grade 6. It aligns with Rotary’s keen interest in basic education and in ensuring “Literacy lasts a lifetime!” is realized worldwide.
Your Club’s Branded FRP Campus
Each club’s FRP “campus” is provided by the Rotary Club of West Ottawa. The campus functions as a dedicated, online access point to the complete Free Reading Program. Your campus will have a unique link (URL). This link can then be shared publicly on your club’s website, on your email signature, and directly in correspondence with learners, parents, programs and organizations wishing to use the Free Reading Program. PLUS, each of the program’s fun, interactive activities will display your Rotary club's name and logo!
Promote Literacy with Proven, Safe Content
The Free Reading Program’s 3600+ interactive learning activities in more than 260 learning units, cover the complete K-6 English curriculum. Its content was developed by education experts at Essential Skills as part of their digital education solution which they sell to schools and school boards across North America. That means the FRP is the very best - while being fun, entertaining, and engaging to learners of any age. Also notably, the Free Reading Program has no pop-up or nag screens or advertising, and user emails are never shared or used. It’s completely private and safe.
There are many ways your club can leverage your Free Reading Program campus…
- Local Community Needs: FRP is popular with home-schooling parents, after-school programs and for kids who need extra help, children with special needs, English tutors, and ESL / immigration support programs... in fact, FRP is for virtually anyone who wants to learn to read, write, and speak English.
(Home-schooled child using Free Reading Program - Canada)
- International schools and programs. Although the Free Reading Program is not licensed to Rotary for our use in North American school classrooms, FRP is used in schools around the rest of the world. For example, Thailand’s Rotary Club of Thavaravadi used the Free Reading Program as the basis for their teacher training initiative and has reached over 7,000 students in local schools. Even though their teachers speak English, many did not know how to teach English. Now they can!
(Rotary Club of Thavaravadi leaders of the Free Reading Program teacher training)
- Special circumstances: When war ignited in Ukraine, the Rotary Clubs of Etobicoke and Scarborough in Canada established a “Rotary for Ukraine” campus with user help videos and instructions in Ukrainian for displaced children to learn English.
Promoting Rotary and Your Club
Your FRP campus helps your club demonstrate that you’re active and community-focused.
1. Build Awareness: Because your club’s name is on every activity, children, parents, and community members using the campus are reminded that Rotary provides this valuable, comprehensive educational service for free.
2. Community Leadership: By encouraging use of your campus, the club provides a valuable service to a wide audience and can lead to Rotary and your club to be seen as an effective, innovative literacy leader within the community.
(Rotary table at craft sale – kids try out the Free Reading Program on our club’s campus)
3. Measurable Impact: Clubs can easily quantify their success. The Rotary Club of Dryden, for example, promoted their FRP campus by distributing informational bookmarks at a local event and mailing packages to elementary schools. This campaign successfully engaged over 160 children who completed almost 10,000 activities.
All these benefits to the club can help promote membership in the club and develop partnerships with like-minded organizations.
Interested?!
Let’s face it, reading about the Free Reading Program is nothing like experiencing the Free Reading Program! Request an online demonstration at a club or committee meeting.
Or, if you already know you want a branded campus, send an email with:
- the name and email of the person responsible for the campus;
- the name of your club; and,
- your club website or Facebook page.
To arrange a demo and/or request a campus, contact Hugh Williams at the Rotary Club of West Ottawa (hugh@rcwo.ca).
(classroom in Thailand)
(school students in DR Congo)