By Charles Roberts

Buffalo State College’s department of elementary education and reading is holding clinics for children who need assistance developing their reading and writing skills.

Children grades three through 12 are taught Thursdays from 4:45 pm to 7:25 pm by professors and graduate students.

“We like to have a few graduate students in every clinic. It provides those enrolled in the clinic that extra one-on-one attention they may need,” said Alfred Tatum, department chairman.

Graduate students can be admitted to help tutor the clinic while taking EDU642 and EDU643, both graduate teaching courses. Once in the clinic, graduate students work under the guidance of their professor to help provide the most interactive classroom experience as possible.

The cost of the clinic is $75 per semester. The fall semester runs from October through December, while the spring semester spans from February through May.

“The semester fee ($75) is spent on all materials used throughout the program,” said Lori Quigley, assistant professor for the department of elementary education.

The clinic provides additional office hours for those who need extra attention. Graduate students are available Monday and Tuesday from 4:45 to 7:25 pm.

“We are looking to meet the student’s (children’s) every need wherever possible. Although we have our cost set at $75 per semester, we do help in waving the fee for those who are financially unstable,” Tatum added.

Though the clinic’s technical guidelines state that it is open for children grades three through 12, adults who have the desire to enroll are welcome as well.

“We offer the program to adults as well,” Tatum added. “However, this semester we only had one adult inquiry.”

Those interested can inquire with Maria Ceprano at 878-5917, or stop by the elementary education and reading office, in Bacon Hall, Room 302.