A second-floor classroom where each table has a stack of small white boards is the hot place to be at Highland Elementary School.

A half dozen first graders speed-walked to their assigned seats on a recent Thursday morning, eager to get started writing out sentences and sounding out words.

“They love being able to play the learning games, and I never knew a white board (could) be so fascinating,” tutor Jenn Birkel said.

Highland is the first Salem elementary school to get an intensive reading tutoring program that’s been helping kids in the Portland area for 25 years.

It comes as the school of about 280 students is undergoing a major experiment, partnering with an outside philanthropist, community groups and parents that’s intended to turn the school into a community hub where families

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