Our Success, One story at a time

As a teacher who is fortunate enough to be benefiting from your generosity in receiving an OG Scholars scholarship, I wanted to express my gratitude to you all as well as the amazing leadership at the Children's Dyslexia Center at Scotch Plains! After only a few weeks in this intensive program, I already feel that I have gained so much knowledge and insight ...
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Thank you so much for this lifechanging opportunity!
- Current Teacher Trainee

We, “Sam's” grandparents, want to thank you for all you have done for him these past two years. Knowing where he was when we started and seeing where he is now is remarkable. Without the Orton-Gillingham program, the wonderful teachers, I'm afraid he would still be struggling. Right now he is reading and reading confidently. He is also very happy...the world of reading has been opened up for him.......and he is thriving.

During the two years of coming two days a week, “Sam” never complained. He could hardly wait to get to the Children Dyslexia Centers of NJ --Scotch Plains Campus for his lessons. He even told me after the last session how much he would miss coming. I asked him what he would miss the most..."Learning," he said. "I always learned, when I was there."

“Sam” continues to thrive in fifth grade. His reading is almost at grade level. He made the Honor Roll at his school the first marking period with several A+'s. His parents received a glowing report, when they talked with all his teachers. He still has trouble with spelling and writing, but we are hoping as he becomes more skilled in computer these two subjects will improve. His science teacher told his parents he is most helpful in his class with other students who are having trouble reading and understanding some science concepts. I wish you could have seen his face when “Sam” told me he was helping others with their reading--priceless!

What the Masons have given ALL the children, who have been fortunate to attend the Scotch Plains Center is a gift that will last a lifetime! They should all be highly commended and greatly thanked for their generosity. Lives have/will be changed. We truly appreciate the gift they have given our grandchild. It is priceless!

Thank you!

Sincerely,
J and G

Since 1994 when the first Centers opened, over 10,000 children have been tutored at the Children's Dyslexia Centers and more than 2,000 tutors have received certification to carry out this important work. We are heartened by the fact that we have witnessed, both anecdotally and statistically, the positive effects that such tutoring has on the lives of children with dyslexia, their families and their communities.

As a parent struggling with a school system that didn’t understand Dyslexia or have the tools to help my children, finding the Scotch Plains Children’s Dyslexia Center gave me hope that my children will learn to read at grade level and enjoy reading. As a parent of 4 children who attended the Dyslexia Center, I will forever be grateful to director Judy Shapiro and the teachers for their kindness, compassion and professionalism, which gave my children the confidence they needed. Even if my children felt reluctant and anxious as they began OG tutoring sessions, they soon enjoyed the success they had every day at the center. My children felt very proud of their accomplishments on graduation day.

Whether my child were in a group or one-on-one with a OG tutor, they were given the skills they needed to jump to grade level or above. I feel it was the best educational experience that they ever had. My children graduated from the center after 1 or 2 years with more confidence in reading, which made them more successful in school.

I am forever grateful to the Scottish Rite Masons, the director Judy Shapiro and the teachers for helping my 4 children overcome their struggle with Dyslexia. I personally continue to support the Center each school year by donating supplies and would encourage everyone to help support the Center in whatever way you can, so that it can continue helping children be successful for many more years.

Tina

As a parent of a daughter who is currently in her second year at the center, I can honestly say that high quality one-on-one Orton Gillingham instruction has transformed my child from thinking she was stupid because she couldn't make sense out of the writings on a page in a book to knowing that the letters form words and the words form sentences that she can now read. My daughter says she has learned more at the center than she does in school with regard to reading and she wonders why teachers in her school don't teach the way the center does. Words cannot express the gratitude and appreciation I have for the Children's Dyslexia Center of Scotch Plains and for the Director, Judy Shapiro, whose support and reassurance have been invaluable to me.

Camille

The Children's Dyslexia Center in Scotch Plains helped us understand, embrace and gave us encouragement to minimize the struggles that come with working with Francisco. We are so grateful to your staff and the Scottish Rite Masons for taking a national lead in combating untreated dyslexia in children.Thank you for all you do with individuals, family, schools and legislation.

Forever grateful,
Mr. & Mrs. J. Gutierrez

I jumped 3 grade levels after attending the Children's Dyslexia Center. Need I say anything else!

Justin Purvis
Former student of the Scotch Plains Campus

I will forever be grateful for the hardworking staff at the Children's Dyslexia Center. My son was 3 grade levels behind, when he came to the Center. I was despondent. They gave me hope. They leveled the playing field for my son and gave him a solid foundation. Now he is a High Honor Roll student!

Lisa Purvis