Karl Heldrich Reading Center

Background:

The Karl Heldrich Reading Center is a unique facility housed at Our Lady of Grace School (OLGS) in Parkton, Md. When founded, OLGS was the first parochial school to open in Baltimore County in 35 years. The KHRC was established in Fall 2004 as a tribute and memorial to Dr. Karl Heldrich, a beloved parishioner, who gave the community many years of service as a veterinarian.

Mission Statement:

The purpose of the Karl Heldrich Reading Center is to meet the reading support needs of students at Our Lady of Grace School and the Northern Baltimore County community who are at-risk for reading failure. Students who struggle learning to read are statistically shown to be at risk for continued academic difficulties. Often their challenges are not severe enough for them to be eligible for special programs. The KHRC provides the critical early intervention reading support services needed to develop competent readers. Today parents and students in both private and public educational settings can benefit from supplemental educational resources.

Services Provided:

• Identification of a child’s specific needs utilizing research-based assessments.
• Development of individualized prescriptive programs of intervention based on assessment and instructional data.
• Ongoing administration/revision of these remedial plans as students progress
• Parent support through progress reports, workshops, and materials for home support
• Cooperative interaction with teachers to provide reading assessment testing results, monitor on-going student progress and to align classroom and Center reading activities
• On-going Center staff development and training to insure that most current instructional practices and methods are in use
• After-School Tutoring Program and Summer Reading Program offered to the community-at-large

Most Current Information:

Mid-Year Reading Assessments – Reading Specialist Debbie Francis has completed administering mid-year reading assessments to all Our Lady of Grace students in Grades Kindergarten, 1 and 2, and selected students in other grades. Results are used to measure reading skill growth and progress since the beginning of the school year, and are shared with classroom teachers. 

Community Outreach – After-School Tutoring Program – The Heldrich Center now offers after-school tutoring in both Reading and Math. Hourly rates were recently reduced and tuition assistance is available. For additional details, please contact Program Director Maggie Craig at 410-925-3506.

Grant-Writing Assistance Needed –  We are seeking a volunteer with grant-writing experience to help support the Heldrich Center’s funding efforts. Interested parties should contact Principal Byrdie Ricketts at 410-329-6956. Your help would be much appreciated!