Portland Elementary School Tutoring

On February 8, 2004, Principal Lula McMillan visited St. Francis and told the congregation that reading skills at Portland School had risen 17% over the previous year!

Imagine how difficult and how boring your life, or the life of your child would be if either of you were unable to read or comprehend what you’ve read.  Reading is a fundamental and profound tool we use every day to learn, to work and to enrich our lives.

When you volunteer to tutor at Portland School, you can make a real difference in young lives by helping kids to read, or to understand mathematics better. You can make a difference by helping them to understand how important school is, and that other people in their community care about them.  You can make a difference by helping them find educational discipline and intellectual curiosity at a crucial time in their development.

For ten years, St. Francis in the Fields has supported a vigorous ministry by sending an enthusiastic group of volunteers to tutor kids at dynamic Portland Elementary School in the historic Portland neighborhood. 

The teachers and administrators work hard everyday, but sometimes they need a little help.  The volunteer tutors step in and focus on some kids who need more attention.  Currently, St. Francis sends 28 volunteers who are happy to be involved

How Portland tutoring ministry works

Portland offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities in terms of times, days of the week, grade levels and subjects.  You choose the combination that fits your schedule and interests.    From there, you will be invited to work with a teacher, who will provide direction and team you up with a child, or children.

What it takes to be a volunteer

No formal teaching experience is necessary. All you need is a love for kids and a willingness to work with them consistently. It helps if you have patience and a sense of humor.  The kids will make you laugh. And, best of all, you will actually see their skills improve.

Special projects at Portland

In the 2003-2004 school year, St. Francis in the Fields sponsored a remarkable project: Portland Elementary Reads: One Book, One Community. The project involved all the students, teachers and administrators who read one book, Because of Winn-Dixie.  St.Francis provided over 400 copies of the book, and more than 90 volunteer visits over three weeks to read the book aloud to the children. The program closed with a special assembly.  There were dogs, food, clowns and celebrities to make the event a resounding success and lots of fun.

In other years, the parish has sponsored field trips, special events, and summer camps and has provided uniforms.

The truth about Outreach Ministries

The truth about outreach ministries is that when God calls us to love our neighbor through service, we not only further His kingdom on earth, we ourselves are transformed. At Portland, you will find God’s smile in little faces. You will be challenged, and love every minute of it.  

How to get started Tutoring at Portland School

Call Sandy Wood, Volunteer Coordinator at the St. Francis office. She will help you take the next step.  Call 228-1176