The stars are out in broad daylight every Sunday at Purcell Public Library.

No, not those stars.

These are Sunday Stars – first through third grade students on a mission to improve their reading or math skills.

They are meeting their goal through an enrichment program funded by a COVID-relief grant from the State Department of Education.

The innovative Sunday Stars approach is a partnership between the Pioneer Library System and Purcell Public Schools, according to Ashley Welke, director of community engagement and learning for the library system.

Welke said the Sunday Stars program is funded through June 2024.

“It’s a year-round program,” she continued.

Other Sunday Stars programs are underway at the Pioneer libraries in Tecumseh and Noble.

Welke said there’s been a steady increase in participation here since the program began in May.

Progress can  be measured a couple of different ways, Welke said.

Parents sign a release so the schools can share testing results for the group as a whole. That serves as a benchmark against which group progress can be measured.

The students meet from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Samantha Marion, a special education teacher at Purcell Elementary School, is the lead instructor.

Through observation, she can evaluate and monitor academic progress, as well as social and emotional learning.

Assisting Marion are local high school students working as Teen Reading Ambassadors.

Welke said Sunday Stars graduate when they age out of the program  or when they reach grade level in reading or math.

“Each week students participate in small group reading instruction and receive one-on-one time to develop and improve reading skills,”
Welke said. “Students come together for the final hour to engage in hands-on STEAM activities with an emphasis on career exposure and math skills.”