GRACES holds training session for volunteers

GRACES Women's Council is holding a volunteer training session Saturday for a first-grade reading program to be implemented in area school districts.

The group, sponsored by United Way of Southeast Missouri, hopes to train 50 volunteers to donate an hour per week to read to students at two elementary schools in Cape Girardeau and all elementary schools in Jackson, according to a United Way news release.

The training follows a program implemented locally by Jackson teacher Marsha Sander. Students attend 50 one-on-one reading sessions three to four times a week. According to the release, students enrolled in the program during the first semester of the 2009-2010 school year saw an increase in their reading level.

Principals and teachers will choose students to participate in the program.

Training will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at United Way Offices, 430A Broadway.