Hello, 2021 and Happy New Year to all our READ friends!! It’s a new year and a new opportunity to set kids up for success! We’re not talking about rocket science. And, it’s doable, now. Imagine a child fishing without having a fishing pole to learn to catch the fish or a child playing soccer without having a soccer ball to practice, or a child learning to play the violin without a violin to practice. How can a child practice reading without access to books that they want to read and understand?This lack of book access increases the achievement gap not only during a pandemic but during the summers and wherever access is limited, as in under-resourced communities. Students slide backward when they are not able to keep practicing the skills they learn in the classroom. With grade-level reading proficiency named as a strategic priority goal in our school district, our city, our state, and our country, all oars are rowing in the same direction to move the needle on this solvable goal! It’s an important moment to seize for the benefit of us all. Will you join us? Your investment in this strategic goal will not only positively impact most all of the social ills in our community and our country, but with it, comes a promise of immediate gratification in the smiles of children from under-resourced communities as they choose new books to own and build their home libraries – a game changer!!An alarming number of children – about 67% in Florida and nationwide are not proficient readers by the end of 3rd grade. This number jumps to a staggering 80% of students in under-resourced communities not being proficient readers by the end of 3rd grade. We can do better! Left unchecked, this problem will undermine efforts to end intergenerational poverty, to close the achievement gap, and reduce high school dropouts. We have the opportunity to prepare the next generation to succeed in a global economy, participate in higher education, or enter military or civilian service. Books that ignite a child’s passion is the key. That means book choice and book ownership in a literacy-oriented culture. Please consider a $10,000 donation to sponsor an entire school, a monthly donation, or a one-time donation. Every child deserves the chance to succeed and reach their full potential. to you, in 2020 during the pandemic, more than 40,000 students in under-resourced communities pre-k -6 in Duval county were able to select more than 160,000 brand new books to own and begin building their home libraries. Now, in 2021, we are serving more than 51,000 students in all elementary schools in the DCPS District as well as many VPK sites, ELC sites, and organizations serving families in under resourced communities. And, we’re expanding our evidence based Peer to Peer 1:1 Intensive Literacy Tutoring and Urban Workforce Development Program this year, too, serving 3 school sites this summer with plans for major expansion in the 2021-2022 school year. This is a game changer for closing the literacy gaps for younger students while developing high school students to positively impact education outcomes currently and in their future careers. Our best investment is in kids!!With gratitude on behalf of the entire Team READ, Ellen A. Wiss Board Chair/Co-Founder
