HUNTSVILLE SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH READING DIFFERENCES ANNOUNCED

Huntsville - January 21, 2002 - Parent and teacher group agree to start a school for children with reading differences. Greengate School, non-profit independent school, is accepting applications for 2002 fall enrollment. Greengate will be the first complete curriculum school for children with reading differences in the Huntsville-Madison area.

About Dyslexia 

Reading differences, also known as dyslexia, affects approximately 10 percent of the general population. It is estimated that approximately 4000 school-age children in the Huntsville/Madison area struggle with some form of reading difference. Although dyslexic learners typically have average to above average intelligence, they process information differently than non-dyslexic learners. Common symptoms include; an inability to associate letters and sounds, difficulty rhyming words; poor sequencing of numbers (12 for 21) and words (was for saw); letter and number reversal (b/d, p/q). Individuals with dyslexia often spell poorly; avoid writing tasks and reading aloud, and exhibit left/right confusion. Dyslexic students may experience difficulty organizing ideas to speak or write, may be slow to memorize alphabet and math facts, may have poor reading comprehension and trouble following oral instructions. Once identified however, dyslexic children can learn to cope with and even overcome these barriers to learning with early and intensive training using multi-sensory instruction. 

Greengate School 

Greengate was formed to address the issues of children with dyslexia. Leading this project is Marcia Ramsey former director of the Montessori School of Huntsville. "As I began to research the issues that confronted my own child I found an enormous need to for this kind of program. Many children struggle with dyslexia. Unfortunately in their struggle to read they can also fall behind in other academic areas like math, science and social studies. Worse still, undiagnosed children often are regarded as slow or unmotivated, destroying a child's sprit and self-esteem. I wanted to create a school where these students could meet success in school and show their talents." We investigated several well-known schools for dyslexic children around the U.S., evaluating some of the best programs in the country. Based on this investigation, Greengate School will provide a full curriculum, teaching all subjects using multi-sensory methods. In addition, each student will receive one-on-one tutoring to address his or her specific weaknesses. In our first year Greengate will address grades 3 though 5 and maintain a student to teacher ratio of 5:1. Local psychologist Ana Byrne says, "Parents of Dyslexic children in this area have few options when confronted with these issues. While some local tutoring programs are available, area parents drive as far as the Dyslexia Clinic in Birmingham seeking assistance. Others go as far as Mobile or Atlanta for appropriate programs. Huntsville needs this type of school to address this population." Head of Randolph School Eddie Krenson agrees, "We have supported the founding of the Greengate School from the beginning because we feel it will address an obvious need within the Huntsville community. We routinely get calls from people looking to relocate to the Huntsville area that need this type of school. Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate these children's needs. 

Funding 

President of the School and parent of a dyslexic child, John Allen says "Greengate School is seeking to raise a total of $200,000 in start-up funding. This money will be used to train teachers, purchase desks, books, and resource materials." Greengate is also seeking to establish scholarship programs for children who may be in need tuition assistance. "All funding to date has been provided through private and corporate donations although we are looking at several grant opportunities." Allen continued. We have found in our investigation that schools of this type typically accommodate 80 or more students and draw from a radius of 100 miles. We are seeking to locate centrally near the Cummings Research Park.

Resources

The Scottish Rite Foundation of Alabama provides diagnostic assistance for children with dyslexia or other speech, language, or learning difficulties at no cost to families and schools. For more information about the Scottish Rite Foundation of Alabama Learning Centers you may visit the website at http://www.alscottishritelearningcenters.com. 

The Madison Learning Differences Support Group meets monthly during the school year. Meetings are at Asbury United Methodist Church in room 210 of the Hope building. Those interested are invited to bring a lunch for the noontime meeting, which generally lasts from noon until 1:00 p.m. For more information on dyslexia or the support group, you may visit the group's website at: http://www.geocities.com/madisonlearningdifferences  

Founded in 2001, Greengate School is a non-profit Alabama corporation.