BOOST Update
By Valerie Suslak
Now in its third year, The Boost Program at Saint David’s has become a more integral and integrated part of the Lower School.
It has not only helped to identify and provide the necessary foundation for our youngest boys needing an extra boost in reading,
(middle K through Second Grade), but has also served as a model in helping to shape goals, and broaden a repertoire of
curriculum and hands-on, multi-sensory methods for teachers to utilize in
their reading groups.
Through the successes of Boost participants, the perceptions about
children who need extra and additional time to master the reading
process continues to shift. In past times and places, children’s
intelligence was often linked with their ability to read. Not
only was that thinking pervasive, but children who initially
had difficulty learning to read, often developed negative
perceptions of themselves and their intelligence, which often
left them with lasting scars. In stark contrast, boys in the
Saint David’s Boost Program understand they are working
additionally hard to gain reading skills; however, they feel valued
for their intelligence and effort, and then begin to feel that pride within
themselves. Boost boys learn the tools and strategies to help them crack the code
of reading in a balanced, well sequenced, multi-sensory, and fun way. Not only do the boys
participating in Boost enjoy it, but “Special Boost Guests” occasionally earn the ability to join as well. Saint
David’s has always understood and valued giving and guiding its boys with everything possible to be “All That We Can Be.”
Boost is yet one extension of that belief and commitment.
Valerie Suslak is Director of Learning Services (Lower School) at Saint David’s School.
Winter 2018 • 25