#IYCMI late last week, Jacksonville Jaguars Defensive End Arik Armstead was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, the league’s most prestigious honor! Team READ USA is elated for Arik to receive this incredibly well-deserved recognition for all he does in our communities!
Arik launched the Armstead Academic Project in 2019 when he was with the San Francisco 49ers, focusing on education, literacy, and ensuring that every child has the resources they need to succeed. He has continued the Armstead Academic Project’s work since he and his family moved to #DUUUVAL to join the Jacksonville Jaguars last year. (You can read more about Arik here.)
READ USA has been honored to partner with Arik, his wife, Mindy, the Armstead Academic Project, and the Jacksonville Jaguars on several events at elementary schools across Duval County. Together, we have distributed thousands of books to hundreds of elementary-aged students at West Riverside Elementary, Arlington Heights Elementary, and Guardian Catholic School – and while the students loved the books, they mostly loved the opportunity to meet Arik and read a story with him!
“You’re smart, and you’re going to do amazing things in life,” is a message that Arik has shared frequently with students across America, and when you see him in action in classrooms and meeting with young folks, you can see the long-lasting impression he leaves with everyone he engages.
We were particularly impressed with how the NFL captured the essence of Arik’s love for community in this video that aired during the announcement in New Orleans last week (click the image below to watch the video on YouTube):
(Do you hear the DUUUVAL! at the 8:08 mark?!)
Congratulations again to Arik for this incredibly special honor! We are so thankful for your partnership, your embrace of literacy, and for you being a true champion for students!
What’s Part of Literacy? Spelling!
The Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) Final County Spelling Bee was hosted at Samuel L. Wolfson Academy for Advanced Studies the other week, and who better to serve as a judge at the competition than a leading literacy figure in our community?!
Our President and CEO Dr. Rob Kelly served as a judge alongside several other exceptional professionals in our community, including Eden Kendall, cohost of River City Live on Channel 4, and Melody Ezik, Assistant Library Supervisor of Learning Services – Youth Programming at Jacksonville Public Library. Dr. Martina Perry, Assistant Director of Employee Relations and Engagement at Florida State College at Jacksonville, served as the pronouncer.
Spelling Bee contestants were asked – you guessed it – to spell challenging words correctly. And the winning word? Cayenne!
Congratulations to the winning Spelling Bee contestants!
Thank you to DCPS; Dr. Brandie Berry, Director of K-12 Literacy for DCPS; and Alicia Henderson, Instructional Specialist for Secondary ELA & Reading for DCPS, for extending the opportunity for Dr. Kelly to participate in the Final County Spelling Bee! We loved seeing all of these passionate spellers and learners!
Women with Heart…Who Love Literacy!
Team READ USA extends a warm congratulations to two very special women who are near and dear to our team members’ hearts.
Last week, our President and CEO Dr. Rob Kelly attended Volunteers in Medicine Jacksonville’s Women with Heart Luncheon presented by Florida Blue. And while all eight of the women honored are exceptionally deserving to receive the Women with Heart awards, we were particularly thrilled to celebrate Stephanie Cost and Dr. Cheryl Doro Wilder!
Left, Dr. Kelly with Stephanie Cost; right, Dr. Kelly with Dr. Cheryl Doro Wilder.
Stephanie Cost is the First Lady of Jacksonville University and is, alongside her husband, Tim Cost, a long-time supporter of literacy and READ USA. She is incredibly involved in the Jacksonville community, serving on the Ronald McDonald House Jacksonville board of directors and being a sponsor of many organizations addressing a variety of needs. She also regularly engages with the students and staff of Jacksonville University, providing guidance and support on a variety of timely professional development topics.
“I met Stephanie while working at Jacksonville University, before I joined READ USA, and it has been an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to know her and learn from her over the years,” shared Dr. Kelly. “Stephanie gives selflessly to others and to our community.”
Dr. Cheryl Doro Wilder, a former public and private school teacher, has dedicated her life and career to the development of children and youth. As a further reflection of that, she founded the Carpenter’s Shop Center in 2007, which supports underserved youth through its 17-year partnership with Kids Hope Alliance, providing summer learning and workforce development programs to help children, teens, and families achieve their fullest potential. The Carpenter’s Shop Center was also a partner of READ USA’s during our Literacy Tutoring pilot program in 2019.
“Cheryl’s work has uplifted the lives of hundreds of students in our community,” said Dr. Kelly. “I’m thankful that Cheryl and The Carpenter’s Shop Center is part of READ USA’s success story.”
Thank you to Stephanie Cost for inviting Dr. Kelly to attend, and a special thank you as well to READ USA Board Chair Ellen Wiss and her husband, Jim, for sponsoring the event. Ellen herself was also a Woman with Heart honoree in 2019!
Congratulations again to Stephanie Cost, Dr. Cheryl Doro Wilder, and all of the Women with Heart honorees! We are a better community because of each of you!
New Name & Elevated Opportunities
Did you know that, since 1972, the UNF College of Education and Human Services – now the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services – has graduated over 22,000 students seeking to change the lives of young people?!
Our CEO Dr. Rob Kelly had the privilege to attend the celebration at the University of North Florida the other week when UNF announced the renaming of the college in honor of Gary and Laine Silverfield, long-time donors of the college as well as READ USA. Dr. Kelly is also proudly an adjunct professor at the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services.
“Gary and Laine are ardent supporters of education across our community, and Laine has positively impacted thousands of lives during her time as a special education teacher,” shared our CEO Dr. Kelly. “Their investments in students and growing professionals will continue to bear fruit across Northeast Florida for generations to come. Their support of the College of Education and Human Services runs deep – the naming of the college is just one way that UNF and our community can honor how much they have truly done to support teachers and learners of all ages, not only through UNF but through our organization and many others as well.”
Mr. and Mrs. Silverfield’s support of the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services includes establishing four funds that provide an endowment for special education, funding for athletic coaching certifications and symposia, and an endowment to provide scholarships for students attending the college. You can read more about their gifts on Jax Today here.
Congratulations to UNF, the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services Dean Dr. Steve Dittmore and faculty members, and UNF President Moez Limayem on this tremendous news! Team READ USA is immensely grateful for Mr. and Mrs. Silverfield’s support of READ USA and thousands of teachers and students across Northeast Florida. We are honored to earn your support and work together with UNF and other institutions to uplift the next generation of educators!
Children’s Book: The Very True Legend of the Mongolian Death Worms by Sandra Fay
This “legend” has it all… dangerous creatures, a forgotten desert, fedoras, feather boas, and hot pink.
Follow this delightful family of Mongolian death worms as they navigate past first impressions on a journey to prove their worth and value. Scary with sharp teeth? Yes. Snake-like body and green toxic drool? Also, yes. But does this mean that the Mongolian death worms can’t contribute to society and have normal friends? Probably another yes!
This fun story brings humor, surprise, and the hard facts about Mongolian death worms in the Gobi Desert. Features that reveal comic book style text, with unique illustrations of potato stamping and fluorescent color, make this book one to remember and treasure.
Submitted by Tabetha Cox, READ USA Chief Tutoring Officer
Parent Education Corner: A Quick Check: Is Your Child Ready for School?
The preschools and kindergartens of today are much different than the early grades of the past. A decade or more ago, pre-K and Kindergarten were mainly focused on social aptitude. They spent time on snacks, rest periods, free-play, manners, story time, music, and art.
Today, students who are ready for school should demonstrate behaviors that show their social skills are developed and they are ready for formal learning. Use the list below to reflect on whether you and your child can spend some time working on any of these readiness indicators. Does your child understand:
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We can work, talk, and play together with friends. |
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We learn new things about our world and other people. |
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We help others. |
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We do our part to clean up after ourselves. |
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We care for materials and toys. |
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We discover more about our world when we are outside our home. |
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We take turns. |
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We talk nicely to others. |
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We share with others. |
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We can tell stories and listen to other’s stories. |
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Stories are told the same way again and again. |
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Print is different from pictures; it represents language that you can say. |
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We can tell our own stories from drawing and writing. |
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We can make books to share our ideas. |
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We can draw pictures to show our thinking. |
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There are letters in our names, and we can write them. |
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Some words sound alike; you can say and hear sounds in words |
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We can read all together by pointing at the words (a beginning understanding that one spoken word matches one written word). |
Although this list (Fountas and Pinnell, 2021) seems difficult, preschools concentrate on these concepts to ensure Kindergarten readiness. If your child does not attend preschool, these are ways to ensure your child is ready for school.
Submitted by Tabetha Cox, READ USA Chief Tutoring Officer
Do you have any questions or ideas for the Parent Education Corner? Anything you’d like to learn? Let us know here!