Willimantic, CT – a former mill town tucked into the state’s northeastern countryside

In its second year with READy for the Grade, Willimantic built on its strong foundation, offering a 7-week in-person program that included group and individual instruction and family activities. Designed and overseen by the library director, the head of the youth department, and coordinated by a local teacher, Willimantic RfG benefitted from a staff of seasoned educators and an occupational therapist.

36% of the 22 children enrolled in READy for the Grade Willimantic in 2023 were returning students.

8 children speak a primary language other than English at home, including Pashto and Spanish.

Willimantic offered 616 hours of programming (4 hours per week x 7 weeks for 22 children). Attending children received 399 total hours of programming combined.

Each session included a 30-minute dinner break. 

Willimantic partnered with Denison Homestead to offer environmental-themed lessons.

13 of the 14 students (93%) who took the literacy skills assessment test at the start and end of the program maintained or improved their skills.

What Willimantic Parents Say

“The child to instructor ratio was great.”

“I liked how hard they worked with the kids. We learned so many things.”

“It helped keep [my son] focused and ready for the new school year.”

A Window Into READy for the Grade 2023

Willimantic

A handwritten sign welcomes families to the Willimantic Library "Rainforest"
A young woman with ripped jeans sits on a colorful rug with 3 children who lie on their stomachs reading a book.

It’s family night at Willimantic RfG, and we’re “in the rainforest.” The session opens with staff sharing the evening’s plan and writing facts about the rainforest on one of the big easel sheets adorning the room.

At 5:30, children break into two groups for reading and literacy-based games.
At 6:15 students and their families descend to the lower-level community room and enjoy a family-style dinner with rainforest sounds playing in the background. Each table seats 2 or 3 families. Staff and kids serve the meal while families discuss the evening’s activities and what they’ve learned about the rainforest.

Following dinner, the children and their families split into two groups. One group plays sight-word Bingo. When a child gets a word, they have to make a sentence with it before placing their marker. Everyone wins a book, and the bingo winner gets to select two books. When they finish, they switch places with the other group, and go upstairs to the community room.

This space has been transformed into a jungle escape room, with multiple stations. Teen volunteers inform the children about their mission: to find clues that will help the group escape the rain forest within twenty minutes. Each clue leads to a key and lock box with a puzzle piece. Each clue requires reading, observation and group problem solving.

The children move through the room reading clues, figuring out where to go next, and collecting puzzle pieces. Parents observe and cheer them on.

The clues are pretty tricky (e.g., one clue instructs them to locate rainforest creatures that come in multiple colors (i.e., butterflies) then count how many red, yellow, pink and blue creatures they find. The answers provide the code that opens the next lockbox.

With minutes to spare, the children figure out their final clue, put all the puzzle pieces together, and discover a boat that will help them “escape” the jungle.

Exhilarated, each family goes home with prizes, a piece of celebratory cake, and a lot to talk about.

A teacher works with 3 children at a table. Her back is to the camera.

A window into READy for the Grade 2023
• Willimantic •

It’s family night at Willimantic RfG, and we’re “in the rainforest.” The session opens with staff sharing the evening’s plan and writing facts about the rainforest on one of the big easel sheets adorning the room.

A handwritten sign welcomes families to the Willimantic Library "Rainforest"

At 5:30, children break into two groups for reading and literacy-based games.
At 6:15 students and their families descend to the lower-level community room and enjoy a family-style dinner with rainforest sounds playing in the background. Each table seats 2 or 3 families. Staff and kids serve the meal while families discuss the evening’s activities and what they’ve learned about the rainforest.

Following dinner, the children and their families split into two groups. One group plays sight-word Bingo. When a child gets a word, they have to make a sentence with it before placing their marker. Everyone wins a book, and the bingo winner gets to select two books. When they finish, they switch places with the other group, and go upstairs to the community room.

A young woman with ripped jeans sits on a colorful rug with 3 children who lie on their stomachs reading a book.
A teacher works with 3 children at a table. Her back is to the camera.

This space has been transformed into a jungle escape room, with multiple stations. Teen volunteers inform the children about their mission: to find clues that will help the group escape the rain forest within twenty minutes. Each clue leads to a key and lock box with a puzzle piece. Each clue requires reading, observation and group problem solving.

A gray wall above a bookshelf is decorated with a colorful paper toucan, and paper vines and paper flowers.

The children move through the room reading clues, figuring out where to go next, and collecting puzzle pieces. Parents observe and cheer them on.

The clues are pretty tricky (e.g., one clue instructs them to locate rainforest creatures that come in multiple colors (i.e., butterflies) then count how many red, yellow, pink and blue creatures they find. The answers provide the code that opens the next lockbox.

With minutes to spare, the children figure out their final clue, put all the puzzle pieces together, and discover a boat that will help them “escape” the jungle.

Exhilarated, each family goes home with prizes, a piece of celebratory cake, and a lot to talk about.

A paper cheetah adorns a gray cinderblock wall above library bookshelves.

For details and more data, read our  latest independent evaluation.

All Kids Need to Read

READy for the Grade serves a diverse population, with programs in rural, suburban, and urban communities. The challenges of living and learning with low income vary by setting. Click the site name for details.

Killingly

Manchester

New Haven

Hamden

Rockville

Willimantic

Questions?

Location: 195 Church Street, 7th Floor
New Haven, Connecticut 06510

Telephone: (203) 859.6600

Email: ljordan@newalliancefoundation.org
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