Leaders of Evanston’s Oakton Elementary School, 436 Ridge Ave., have begun a new tutoring initiative invested in improving reading scores one student at a time.

On Saturday the school hosted more than 20 students for its first session of the Family Fun Saturdays tutoring series. The program will be held on the first and third Saturday mornings of the month throughout the school year.

The initiative aims to bring parents, teachers and Evanston residents together to help students learn in a fun environment, according to Oakton Principal Churchill Daniels. About 20 volunteers, mostly Oakton parents, attended the first session.

The plan was developed in response to growing concerns in the community about Oakton students’ reading aptitude.

Oakton’s curriculum differs from those at many other schools because it houses the district’s two-way immersion bilingual education program and an African-centered curriculum program. But its test scores consistently place it at the bottom of the district.

The recently released 2007 Illinois School Report Card revealed that despite the school’s improvements in many categories, black students at the school continue to struggle with their reading scores on statewide tests.

“We want to focus on the positive aspects,” Daniels said. “A lot of good things are happening here that get overlooked. But at the same time, we still want to target the kids who need a little extra help.”

The elementary school’s Action Team for Partnership, chaired by parent Carol Jungman, developed the tutoring initiative through its School Improvement Plan.

“(The tutoring program) is based on research from Johns Hopkins University,” said Jungman, who has two children attending Oakton. “They found that what really works is when the community comes together.”

In addition to improving test scores, Family Fun Saturdays will build an environment for “hope and excellence” and create a closer partnership with teachers, Jungman said.

To get students excited about reading, the action team donated $2 gift certificates to the school’s Story Store for Fun bookstore for each student who attended the program’s kickoff event Saturday. Daniels then matched the donation out of his own pocket.

Organizers said they could gauge the event’s success by the youth’s attitudes. Most students were engaged in the educational games and fun atmosphere, they said.

Participants used computer programs, math-based board games and other educational tools throughout the morning.

Oakton third-grader Andreas Hernandez took a break from his educational pursuits to talk about his day at the program.

“I get to play on the computer and math games and learn with flashcards,” Hernandez said.

Evanston resident Mary Hawley volunteered as a tutor after seeing a flyer at the YMCA.

“It’s interesting to see kids and parents together in such a nice environment,” Hawley said.

Jungman said the elements of community involvement and friendly exchange will be crucial to the program’s success.

“This is a great turnout,” Daniels said. “Everything has gone really smoothly and from what I’ve heard, the parents are getting really involved.”

Reach Sean Walsh at [email protected] .