Pen pals are cool, be a pen pal. (Introducing In2Books)

As we mentioned in our most recent newsletter, the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) has recently partnered with ePals, Inc. to introduce an e-mentoring program called In2Books to 50 3rd-5th grade classrooms this fall.

This is a great (and amazingly easy) way to participate in the education of our youth.  You can do it in your pajamas if you want to! (All it takes is a computer and a clean record!)

Here’s how it works: Adult e-mentors (you) are paired with a 3rd, 4th or 5th grade student (a pen pal) and introduced online. Over the course of the academic year, you and your pen pal will read five books, exchanging emails along the way to discuss the book.

The program, a pilot for Savannah, fosters reading, writing, and critical thinking skills by connecting engaged mentors with children in the classroom. Pen pals from the Savannah community are an essential part of this initiative and are critical to its success.

So, besides spreading the word about this innovative and exciting program, you can help out by signing up to volunteer for a Savannah student.

Dr. Thomas Lockamy, Superintendent for the SCCPSS recently sent a letter to ask for the community’s help in this effort, and below is an excerpt from his request, complete with all the instructions you need to sign up and participate.

From Dr. Lockamy:

To make this effort successful we need to recruit 800 pen pals. As role models, pen pals inspire students’ learning, open their eyes to possibilities for achievement, and provide an additional support outlet for them. While the program only takes a few hours a month, we do need a commitment from you to write with your student for the entire school year.

You can be a pen pal without leaving your home or office! Here’s how it works:

1. At the beginning of the school year you’ll be matched with a student and you will exchange “getting to know you” letters via the In2Books website.

2. Your student will select his or her first book, and you’ll be notified by email what book you should read. You can purchase the book or find it at a local library.

3. Next you’ll write an online letter to your student about the book. Pen Pal Place, the In2Books website dedicated to pen pals, will provide you with instruction, tips and examples to get you started.

4. Once the teacher has approved your letter, the student will read it and respond back.

5. The process is then repeated for the next four books.

Registering to be a pen pal is easy! Please be sure to follow these steps carefully to ensure that you are prioritized as a pen pal for a Savannah student.

1. Go to www.sccpss.com and click on the in2books ICON to begin the registration process. Note: for the safety of students you will be required to complete a background check.

2. Be sure to enter Savannah from the dropdown list when asked for your affiliation on the registration page.

3. The next step takes you to the background check page. Make sure you use the following promotion code SAV469 on the background check page.

Please pass this letter along to friends and colleagues you think would be interested and willing to help a student.