Elementary students of Native American descent are offered literacy enrichment activities through the Multi-Cultural Center's Native Reads Program. Native Reads began as a test-pilot for 20 Native students from Garfield and Lowell schools in March of 2006. The test-pilot program ran for eight weeks and kicked off with a traditional Smudging Ceremony, a reception and open house. All students in the test-pilot increased reading and sight word levels by at least one level. Students must be referred to the program by their teachers at participating schools. Expansion is planned for the 2007-2008 school year and will include outreach to four schools and serve 80 students. The expanded program will operate from 3:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Programming, snacks and transportation within bus boundaries are free of charge.