Woburn Elementary Schools Enhance School-Wide Literacy Skills with Lexia, Thanks to Cummings Foundation Grant Secured in Partnership with WCEF

WOBURN — Principal Robert Nickerson is pleased to share that representatives from the Cummings Foundation and the Woburn Community Education Foundation (WCEF) visited Malcolm White Elementary School on June 10 to celebrate the achievements of students who are using Lexia.

Lexia, an online literacy tool dedicated to creating equitable learning opportunities through the effective implementation of the science of reading, was first implemented in Woburn elementary schools in 2022, thanks to a 10-year Cummings Foundation grant secured in partnership with WCEF. 

Lexia is personalized to the academic needs of each student. As students work on Lexia, they progress through levels that increasingly challenge them, leading to growth in literacy. 

As part of Malcolm White’s use of Lexia, the school implemented a school-wide challenge that incentivizes students’ use of the tool. For every 250 levels completed on Lexia, the school holds a celebration.

Malcolm White celebrated 1,000 levels on June 17. Students were able to participate in a book swap and enjoy some time outdoors, blowing bubbles and playing games. 

On June 10, board members from the Cummings Foundation — Gale Druga and Rick Weiner — and from WCEF — Colleen Cormier, Alex Rae, Michael O’Brien, Nancy Whalen and Brian Teague — visited Malcolm White to learn about how Lexia impacts student learning.

Staff took them on a tour, which included visiting third-grade classrooms to witness students engaged in Lexia use. They then shared a short presentation and answered questions on how Lexia is an important supplemental tool to enhance student literacy, especially for Special Education and English Learner students. 

The board members were also present to witness five students receive certificates and Lexia Llamas for completing their year-long personalized Lexia training. 

“Lexia is an important tool that has helped our students improve their literacy skills while having fun,” said Principal Nickerson. “I’d like to thank the Cummings Foundation and WCEF board members who paid us a visit last week. Their help in securing the funding needed to provide this supplemental tool to our students has made such an impact.”