The United Way of the Lowcountry is working with school districts in Beaufort and Jasper counties to improve reading skills in eight elementary schools. The goal is to have 80 percent of all students reading on grade level when they enter fourth grade. Within 10 years, the United Way’s local goal is to reduce high school dropouts by 50 percent.
To help with the reading, United Way of the Lowcountry is recruiting 600 volunteers to tutor and read starting this fall. They already have over 100 volunteers but need many, many more to help its mission.
Shanklin Elementary and St. Helena Elementary were selected in Beaufort County for the new tutoring program.
“We’re very excited to be a part of their new program,” said Principal Keeler of St. Helena Elementary School.  
Currently only 40-50 percent of St. Helena’s fourth graders are on grade level for reading, according to Principal Keeler. 
“So many of our moms work, some two jobs, and so the tutors will give [the students] that support that’s hard to get at home sometimes due to time.”
Two tutors will come into the classrooms everyday for two hours during their literature block.
To learn more, visit the United Way of the Lowcountry website at www.uwlowcountry.org or call 982-3040