Volunteers Keep Terraset Kids Involved

The Terraset ES summer reading program continues to attract a big group of children each Tuesday and Thursday. It’s great to see the kids enjoying themselves… so much so, they don’t seem to realize they’re honing their academic skills at the same time. You’ll see rising kindergartners learning new board games, while several fourth-seventh  graders practice their chess strategies. At the same time, groups of kids are conversing happily while working with playdough or building Lego cranes.

All this activity goes on with the helpful guidance of a number of teachers and community volunteers.  

Dominick Belardo, who lives in the Terraset district, heard about the program through one of his neighbors and decided to come and help. He has become very popular with several of the kids as he challenges them to games of checkers or chess!

Indeed, all of the volunteers are highly sought after. Friends Ana Martinez and Sachi Jain – both students at South Lakes HS – willingly share their artistic talents with participants. The kids are writing stories or making birthday cards, whatever inspires them at the time.

“Ms. Trout told my Mom about this,” said Ana. Added Sachi: “So, Ana brought me here too!”

Gregory Fischer, who will attend The College of William and Mary, is another volunteer. He has been sharing his passion for logic and physics at the Lego table and at a chess board! Given his ultimate goal is life is to “win the Nobel Prize in Physics,” our kids are enjoying the challenge of playing with him.

The program will continue through Aug. 17, so there will be plenty more opportunities for the kids to come and have fun. With breakfast available from 9-10 a.m., the children can walk on down to the library, participate in the activities, borrow a book, and listen to a story then head back for a free lunch at 11:30 a.m.