Read-a-Thons for Participants in UB's Truancy Court Program
November 1, 2007
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.6190
The Truancy Court Program administered by UB's Center for Families, Children and the Courts will host two "Ober Kaler Read-a-Thons" in recognition of the Ober Kaler law firm's support of the program.
The read-a-thons will involve representatives of the law firm reading to students in two of the schools that are participating in the Truancy Court Program. They will be held on Thursday, Nov. 8 from noon until 1 p.m. at Highlandtown Elementary and Middle School; and Friday, Nov. 30 from noon to 1 p.m. at Waverly Elementary and Middle School.
The read-a-thons are designed to reward students who have successfully completed the program, and to allow Ober Kaler representatives to see how the firm's Community Grants Program is making a difference in the lives of children in Baltimore City. Approximately 10 volunteers from Ober Kaler will attend each of the events and read books with the students.
Ober Kaler awarded a $15,000 grant to the University of Baltimore to support the Truancy Court Program.
The Truancy Court Program brings together teams of school representatives, CFCC Student Fellows, district and circuit court judges, parents or caregivers, and students to identify the problems underlying truant behavior, and establish comprehensive, non-punitive solutions to those problems. Started in 2005 with a pilot program in a group of city schools with particularly high truancy rates, the effort relies on volunteer assistance, coupled with a minimal number of paid staff who coordinate the "court sessions" and support the program's related activities.
Developed by CFCC, which is part of the University of Baltimore School of Law, the program is a partnership between the University, the Baltimore City Public School System, the Office of the Mayor of Baltimore City and the Circuit Court and District Court for Baltimore City. The UB Truancy Court Program operates in six schools in Baltimore City and serves about 100 students.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the School of Law, the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts and the Merrick School of Business.