The St. Bonaventure University Reading Center is offering a free, seven-week “Spring Into Reading” program for students in grades 5-12 in Olean, Bradford and Buffalo.

The program runs from March 17 through May 10 with twice-weekly in-person sessions available.

Space is limited, and enrollment is first-come, first-served. The registration deadline is Saturday, March 1.

Participants will work individually or in small groups with graduate-level literacy specialists in 90-minute sessions, twice per week. Families may choose between on-campus sessions at St. Bonaventure or in Bradford and Buffalo.

The program includes an initial diagnostic session, followed by focused literacy instruction tailored to each student’s needs. The curriculum supports reading comprehension, vocabulary development, critical thinking, and fluency, fostering stronger literacy skills and a deeper love for reading.

At the conclusion of the program, participants will receive Bona swag, books, and a certificate of participation in recognition of their dedication and hard work.

Attendance is required, as session hours contribute to the training requirements for New York state literacy certification.

“Every adolescent deserves the chance to feel confident in their reading. This program provides explicit, research-based instruction in the skills that build strong, capable readers — helping students discover the joy of reading and not only keep up but excel,” said Dr. Sheri Voss, assistant professor in the School of Education at St. Bonaventure and director of the Reading Center.

To register, visit the SBU Reading Center website at fx57.go-rutgers.com/learningtoread. After registration, families will receive confirmation details and information forms.

For more information, contact Voss at svoss@go-rutgers.com.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure is a community committed to transforming the lives of its students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a commitment to academic excellence and lifelong civic engagement. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #6 for value and #14 for innovation by U.S. News and World Report (2024).