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Jordan Pietrus Helps Local Kids "Stick to Reading"

December 4, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Elmira Jackals News Release


ELMIRA, N.Y. - Forward Jordan Pietrus is in his second season with Elmira and, for Pietrus, giving a helping hand is nothing far from the ordinary. Since graduating from Brown University in 2010, Pietrus has continued to be heavily involved within the various communities that he has called home while playing professional hockey.

Pietrus speaks to Center Street Elementary at the "Read and Score" Kickoff Party

A winner of the Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award, which is given out annually by the NCAA, Pietrus balanced hockey with classes, school work and volunteering weekly. "As a student athlete, it can be very difficult to find time to volunteer with an extremely demanding daily schedule. However, I felt that when I took time out of my schedule to invest in first grade students I was reminded of how lucky I was to be in my position, and that I should never take it for granted," noted Pietrus. First graders at Vartan Gregorian Public School worked with members of the hockey team to better their reading, writing and math skills.

Since turning pro at the beginning of the 2010-11 season with the South Carolina Stingrays, Pietrus has made efforts to continue stressing the importance of education and athletics. Last season Pietrus took it upon himself to find a school around the Elmira area that he could work with while playing for the Jackals. Center Street Elementary, which is a part of the Horseheads School District, seemed to be a perfect fit for Pietrus after taking a visit to see the students.

Jennifer Bryant is a physical education teacher at Center Street and has worked alongside Pietrus in helping the students to improve their reading while remaining active. When asked about the biggest change Bryant has noticed with the program she stated "Many parents have contacted us to let us know what an impact it has had at home. They mentioned that their children have become independent in their reading and self starters when it comes to taking time to sit down with a book."

Now in his second season with Elmira, Pietrus has grown the "Read & Score with the Jackals" program to one that offers all students of various grade levels the opportunity to get rewarded for their efforts to have fun reading while staying committed to school and sports. "This year, we've had more time to organize the program, we have tremendous support, and we've set bigger goals to reach as many students and read as many minutes as possible," stated Pietrus.

Pietrus, whether at home or on the road with the team makes sure to encourage the students to keep up on their reading and working towards their goals. Bryant said of Pietrus, "Jordan is such a great person. He is very comfortable with all of the students. He has become a huge role model for our students and a terrific leader for new initiatives. He organizes all the activities on our 'Play with the Jackals Day' from the activities to the schedule for his teammates."

The big reward for the students this year at Center Street Elementary is the chance for students to play a game of floor hockey with current members of the Jackals. Pietrus said of the reward "This year we not only rewarding our top readers but we are also acknowledging students that have been putting in the effort to read, because we realize that everyone starts at a different place and level." Along with the floor hockey game, students were recognized before games in October and November for their efforts in improving their reading. "This was SUCH a thrill for our students! Last year we picked the top 15 readers from each grade to play floor hockey in the team. This year we wanted to reward those readers who may not read as much but have improved because of the program," stated Bryant.

This year a fall session has been added to the program that will be consist of 2 different 6 week programs that will allow for more students to be actively involved and "win" with reading. When asked about the progress so far this year Pietrus said "With the results of this year's program, it has become obvious that students respond well to this type of encouragement. I believe the ability to read, and read well, is a very important skill that these students will carry with them wherever they go in life. Ultimately, if students are engaging in reading on their own and genuinely learning to enjoy it, they are all winners." Pietrus sees the program as one that will be able to improve with added support from the Jackals front offices. Bryant says, "This partnership has been wonderful for ALL involved and we couldn't thank Jordan or the Jackals enough."

Hockey Players for Kids, also known as HP4K is something that Pietrus has dedicated his time to while perfecting his skills on the ice. Pietrus said of the program, "Rather than rely on the team to organize a community involvement, HP4K provides ideas and templates of programs for players that can be easily implemented in spite of the volatility of the professional hockey world." HP4K was founded in the spring of 2009 by a group of hockey players, mainly from Princeton University to help positively impact the lives of local youth while growing themselves as members of the community.

Pietrus is a member of HP4K and has benefited from the knowledge and resources of those involved with the program. Along with fellow hockey players involved within the group they can learn to better manage life on and off the rink. When asked how HP4K aided in his project in Elmira he noted, "HP4K's guidance, coupled with Center Street's enthusiasm and creativity, made it really easy to get the 'Read and Score with the Jackals' program off and running. Hundreds of kids are reading like they've never read before!"

Through both of these programs Pietrus has been able to not only better the community around him, but himself as well. Pietrus is continuing to think of ways to get area youth positively involved while having fun at what they are doing, "I always like to dream big! The more students we can encourage to read, the better! I am always open to suggestions and new, creative ideas." Along with the help of Jackals front office, more students will have the opportunity moving forward to be exposed to more fun and interactive ways to become better at reading. The students of Center Street Elementary have been great with Pietrus in his time with the Jackals and are eager to see who will play against members of the team at the end of the program.

To learn more about HP4K and their mission you can visit http://hp4k.org/get-involved or to see Jordan's page visit http://hp4k.org/pietrus-jordan. The Jackals are looking to branch out and expand the reading program within the Elmira area for the upcoming season.

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