WHO'S NANCY MCGREW? SHE'D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO READ

CHAFFEE -- Nancy McGrew isn't satisfied just teaching her 75 elementary students to read; she wants the entire city of Chaffee to be excited about reading.

Her efforts recently won state-wide recognition for the Chapter 1 remedial-reading program at Chaffee Elementary School. The project is now entered into national competition.

Learning to read in Chaffee includes lots of parental participation and help from many members of the Chaffee community, especially parents.

McGrew has taught 23 years at Chaffee Elementary School. "I've really been interested in parent involvement for the past six or seven years," she said. "I finally came to the realization that I couldn't do it all myself; I needed help from everyone: students, parents, teachers and the community."

The remedial-reading program is called The BEAR Den. BEAR stands for Be Excited About Reading, McGrew said.

She draws on students, teachers, and community members to make it work. But the most important element, she said, is parental involvement.

"The reason we can handle so many students (75) is the unique makeup of our staff," said McGrew, who quickly gave credit to those who work with her for the program's success.

Anita Montgomery is the program's parent liaison. "As far as we know, she is the first person in the state to hold this position," McGrew said. "She's not a teacher; she's a parent. She started as a volunteer when her child was in the program. Now she's paid."

Montgomery works with parents of students in the program. "She visits each class each week and then goes out to homes to talk with parents," McGrew said.

"Parents learn how to work with their child. They can learn things like how to read a story so the child gains the most from it. She plays a big part in the communication between school and home."

Another successful method of connecting parents with the effort is McGrew's "library," which was started last year. One night a week the reading classroom is open for entire families to attend. "We have materials here for the whole family," McGrew said.

The library has books, games, even computers and computer programs for all members of families from preschoolers to adults.

"We have really good turnout at the library," McGrew said. "We average about 25 people a night. Before Christmas we had a special program and 70 people turned out. When I get here to open the doors, there are always eight to 10 people waiting to come in," she said.

"I'm the one who started it, so I knew there was no extra pay involved. But the benefits come and make it worthwhile. I have such a good feeling when I leave. It gives me a chance to build friendships with parents, which are impossible in two parent conferences a year."

She said the school is interested in reaching students potentially at risk of dropping out of school. To do this, McGrew said, "We have to reach families."

Only 56 percent of parents of Chaffee elementary students were graduated from high school. "We did a lot of research and found that many of the parents of our students were `at risk' when they were in school," she said. "They might have negative feelings about school. One of our objectives is to reconnect them with school and let them know school is here to help you and your child."

Another method of encouraging parents to work with their children, is the Parent Honor Roll. Parents of McGrew's students must complete a rigorous list of activities with their child to qualify.

"They have to read so many books, come to the library, attend one schoolwide event, take their child on a special outing it's quite a list," she said.

During the first quarter this year, 38 parents made the honor roll. Each received a T-shirt.

She works closely with the students' classroom teachers. They meet monthly to discuss the students' progress and needs. "Without that cooperation the program wouldn't work," she said.

Working with McGrew is a 12-year veteran of the program, Judy Rushing, a teaching assistant. In addition to her work in the classroom, Rushing has helped students buy shoes or a coat, and sends letters to students who need extra attention.

Her staff includes high-school students who are school leaders and former remedial-reading students. They volunteer to spend their study-hall hour helping youngsters. "They get no credit; they even have to provide their own transportation," McGrew said.

"The staff, all of us, really care about the welfare of the students, the parents and the whole community," McGrew said. "We are working to make the community more literate."

Businesses in Chaffee have been quick to respond to her ideas. Last year she sponsored a monthlong reading program. Parents and children were required to read together four days a week. Those who participated won prizes donated by local merchants.

"Businesses made signs and posted them in their windows saying `We support BEAR.' That let students and parents know the community believes reading is important, too. Working in a community like this make you want to work harder."

The efforts pay off. An average of 84 percent of parents with children in kindergarten through third grade use the at-home learning materials available through the library. She said 73 percent of the parents qualified for the Parent Honor Roll.

Test scores show the students are making advances. In 1989-90, 57 percent of the students in the remedial program exited.

Successes are stressed on a personal level. "We want these children to know the joy of reading and learning," said McGrew. "We are ready to do almost anything to make that happen."

During a visit to her classroom, a little girl read to her teddy bear; a little boy had his bear say the reading words for him.

"We just try something different," she said. "The bears provide a feeling of security and friendship and also the feeling that reading is something pleasurable."