District officials and community donors celebrate PiscatawayREADS.
The magic of reading is rooted in the bond that’s created between the reader and the story. But for that adventure to begin, the book must first be opened.
The Piscataway district opened books for students through its PiscatawayREADS program, a community-based initiative that promotes reading and the enhancement of literacy.
Literacy facilitates success in school, life and social/cultural interactions. Realizing that not all students were able to buy books, Piscataway school board members and staff spearheaded development of a community-based program that provides free age-appropriate books for children from preschool through 12th grade.
More than 2,200 books were donated through corporate sponsors, local businesses and families. District staff led reading sessions and conducted hands-on workshops. Board members promoted the program, with signs and banners, and provided grassroots outreach that led to literary events, and the establishing of community book clubs.
More than 1,000 children were touched by the program, whose ultimate goal is….a book in every child’s hands!
Information
Contact: Kaitlin Phillips, public information officer/webmaster, [email protected]
Online:
- http://piscatawayschools.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=804134&pageId=1130065
- http://www.asbj.com/MainMenuCategory/Supplements/MagnaAwards/Piscataway.pdf
- http://www.nj.com/education/2014/03/piscataway_school_district_wins_national_award_for_literacy_program.html
Recipient of the National School Boards Association’s Magna Award Winner