MCCU Donates to Hughes Elementary School for STAR Reading Program

Marshall Community Credit Union recently donated nearly $500.00 to Hughes Elementary School through their mini-grant program. Hughes third grade teacher, Deb Veale, submitted the application stating the funds would be used to purchase a one-year subscription of STAR Reading, which coordinates with the existing accelerated reading program the school uses.

STAR Reading is a diagnostic test that assesses students on reading skills that should be mastered for their grade level. It is an adaptable test, which means it will make questions harder or easier based on the student’s answers.

“It is also designed to look like the statewide test that is take in May, the M-Step, which then familiarizes the students with the experience – before they are in a high stakes situation,” said Veale. STAR Reading is designed to provide teachers with useful information that will drive their instructional practices as well.

“We are happy to be able to fill in the gaps that school budgets sometimes leave,” said Andrea Tucker, MCCU financial education coordinator.

MCCU’s mini-grant program is available for teachers, administrators and school staff at any of their partner schools (those that participate in the credit union’s CU In School program, an in-school, student-run credit union branch). Participating schools include Mar Lee, Marshall High School, Marshall Middle School, Walters, Hughes and Gordon Elementary, as well as Wattles Park Elementary and Harper Creek Middle School.

Mini-grants can be used for items or services that participating schools do not normally purchase through funding resources. For more information regarding MCCU’s program, or to receive an application, contact Andrea Tucker at andrea.tucker@marshallcommunitycu.com or 269.781.9885 x3144.