Marilyn Zingaro may be a retired teacher, but she still spends a lot of her time in education. Zingaro is one of 22 OASIS volunteers helping Churchville-Chili students learn to read better. "I'm glad I retired," says Zingaro, who left her job with the Rochester School District six years ago. "But I missed the kids. I love working one-on-one with a child."

Zingaro volunteers at Fairbanks Road School one hour a week plus some preparation time. She has volunteered at the school through OASIS, Older Adult Service and Information System, for the past five years. OASIS pairs older adults with younger children who need a little extra help learning to read. The older adults work one-on-one with a student, serving as a tutor, mentor and friend. Volunteers, who do not have to have a teaching background, participate in a 12-hour training program before being paired with a student.

"This program is a great benefit to our school system," says Fairbanks Road Assistant Principal Sarah Stoll. "The children thrive with the extra attention and get the boost they need to succeed in reading and other academic areas."

"It's been fun," says Zingaro. "Helping a child is exciting. If you like kids, you'll like OASIS." Churchville-Chili schools have been using OASIS tutors since 1994.

In addition to the tutors at Fairbanks Road School, OASIS volunteers help with students at Churchville Elementary School and Chestnut Ridge School. To become a volunteer tutor through OASIS, call Sarah Stoll, 293-4543, extension 3050.