32° Masonic Learning Center
32° Freemasons Helping Children;
Reading
and
writing are two of the most critical skills we can teach our children.
Children with Dyslexia have difficulty with these skills.
Our mission...
to help children learn to read and write.
“Get On The Road To Reading” Triathlon 2010
Triathlon 2010 Flier
5k Walk/Run - Saturday October 2
Please see the schedule page for information about more upcoming
events that benefit the 32° Masonic Learning Center.
We're bringing the
joy
of reading and learning to children with dyslexia, a free service for these children, and you can help.
Please click HERE for the latest Valley of New Castle Parent News
What is dyslexia?
It manifests primarily as a
difficulty with written language, particularly with reading and
spelling.
It is separate and distinct from reading difficulties resulting from
other causes, such as a non-neurological deficiency with vision or
hearing, or from poor or inadequate reading instruction. Evidence
also suggests that dyslexia results from differences in how the brain
processes written and/or spoken language.
Although dyslexia is allegedly the result of a neurological
difference,
it is not an intellectual disability. Dyslexia has been diagnosed
in
people possessing all levels of intelligence. Dyslexia is an
impairment in your brain's ability to translate
written images received from your eyes into meaningful language. Also
called specific reading disability, dyslexia is the most common
learning disability in children, affecting 5 percent or more of all
elementary-age children. Dyslexia may occur in children with
normal vision and normal intelligence. Children with dyslexia usually
have normal speech, but often have difficulty interpreting spoken
language and writing. Treatment for dyslexia may involve a
multisensory education program. Emotional support of your child on your
part also plays an important role.
Perhaps dyslexia can be most easily defined by looking at the word itself. The word dyslexia, pronounced (dis-lek-see-uh) comes from the Greek words δυσ- dys- ("impaired or without") and λέξις lexis ("word"). DYSLEXIA means: WITHOUT WORDS.
We're making a difference for children with dyslexia.
Dyslexia is estimated to affect
some 15% of our population - more than 2 million school-age children in
the United States. Although these children typically have
average or above-average intelligence, their dyslexia can create
difficulties not only with reading, writing and spelling but also with
listening, thinking, talking and arithmetic. These academic
problems can lead to emotional and self-esteem problems throughout
their lives. With early diagnosis and appropriate instruction,
these children can learn - and can enjoy learning - at their own age
level.
But programs to treat dyslexia have been
few and far between. Most communities have little or no funding to
support the facilities and staffing needed to properly address this
disability.
Offering services free of charge.
In creating the 32° Masonic
Learning Centers
for Children, Inc, it has been our mission to provide professional
treatment - free of charge - to children with dyslexia. Services
are made available to children on a first-come, first-served basis.
We're also committed to increasing public
awareness of dyslexia as well as improving the standards of care
through research and education.
Reaching more children.
In the years to come, we expect
to have at
least 55 Learning Centers operating throughout the 15-state Northern
Masonic Jurisdiction. These Learning Centers will bring our free
services and proven teaching methods to more communities and to more
children.
Setting high standards.
Each Learning center provides a
highly qualified staff specially trained in the treatment of dyslexia.
After professional assessment and
evaluation of a student's needs, the staff then provides customized
one-on-one instruction using a variety of techniques. In
addition, each Learning Center provides training for local teachers or
volunteers who want to tutor children with dyslexia.
Supported by Freemasonry.
In 1994 the Supreme Council of the Ancient
Accepted Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction adopted the
Learning Center Program as its fourth Charity. The 32° Masonic Learning Centers for
Children, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation established for the purpose
of creating and operating Learning Centers throughout the 15 states
within the Scottish Rite Northern Jurisdiction.
Finding new ways to defeat dyslexia.
Since 1994,
hundreds of children have received
free specialized instruction at the Learning Centers, enabling them to
overcome the effects of dyslexia. We are pledged to continue to
offer this service to as many children as we can - free of charge.
In addition to serving more children
through a growing number of Learning Centers, we provide guidance and
funding for other means to defeat dyslexia, such as teacher tutor
programs, research, and scholarships for teachers.
Growing with the help of many.
While all contributions benefit children with
dyslexia, donors to the 32° Masonic Learning Centers for Children, Inc.
can designate how they want their gifts to be used. The 32° Masonic Children's Learning
Centers, Inc. is exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Service and all contributions are tax deductible.
Meeting the challenge of dyslexia.
A small boy sits at his desk,
looking down
at his open book as his classmates read aloud. He wrinkles his
forehead
and squints his eyes but the letters and words he sees are jumbled,
twisted, senseless. He grips the book tighter, holds his breath
and makes a silent wish that the teacher will not call on him...
This child has dyslexia, a common learning
disability. He needs help to overcome it before it sets him back
emotionally as well as educationally. Where will he get the help
he needs?
Mary had a little lamb. These familiar lines are easy to
read and fun for most school-aged children. But for a child with
dyslexia, reading brings nothing but frustration. Here's the same
passage as seen through the eyes of a child with dyslexia: Mar gha dal it tie lamd.
With letters flipped and words
broken in the wrong places, the passage is simply impossible to read.
It's easy to see why a child with dyslexia loses interest in
reading, writing and other academics. Without specialized help,
these children face serious stumbling blocks throughout their school
years and beyond. Techniques
that use a variety of senses - such as drawing letter shapes in a sand
tray - give children alternative ways to learn. The 32°
Masonic Learning Centers for
Children, Inc. has been created specifically for the purpose of
providing free specialized training and tutoring to children with
dyslexia. It is the aim of the Learning Centers to
equip these children with the skills and confidence they need to
approach learning with eagerness and without fear.
For
information
please contact:
New Castle
Learning Center
110 East Lincoln Ave
.
New Castle, PA 16101
Melissa J. Merritt, Director
Telephone: 724-654-5408
Fax: 724-654-3989
mmerritt@valleyofnc.org
And, please visit:
- 32° Masonic Learning
Centers for Children, Inc.
Walk/Run to Help
Children with Dyslexia
