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Featured in The Republican: Books Deliver Reading Success
October 20, 2020
Reading Success by 4th Grade Distributes More Than 3,000 Books to Local Families During Pandemic
Reading Success by 4th Grade (RS4G) has distributed more than 3,000 books to local families since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The vast book distribution was made possible through a collaborative effort between Reading Success by 4th Grade, New England Public Media, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and Raising a Reader of Massachusetts.
RS4G gave out books, puppets, coloring books, and art activities to numerous community organizations directly serving families with young children, first concentrating on infants, toddlers, and young children not yet enrolled in school or center care; then to outreach services like home visiting, parenting, and transitional programs. Later, the focus shifted to partner organizations that could distribute to children they are serving.
RS4G also distributed books to the 12 essential family child cares that remained open during the height of the pandemic (March to June) and served children of essential employees.
Organizations that received books from Reading Success by 4th Grade include: Horizons for Homeless Children; Square One Center and Child Care; Springfield Diaper Bank; Springfield North WIC Breastfeeding Support Group; Head Start Pre-K and Migrant Programs; Educare Springfield; YMCA of Greater Springfield; Boys & Girls Club Family Center; Springfield Boys & Girls Club; South End Community Center; Springfield Partners for Community Action Early Learning Center; Clarendon Early Education; and the 12 essential family child cares in Springfield.
According to Chrissy Howard, Manager of Reading Success by 4th Grade, “All of our kids have less physical access to books in schools and in-person libraries (though curbside pickup is happening). Kids need learning resources at home and RS4G is stepping up. I know my kids have already read the same books over and over. It is so important that kids have their own books and home libraries at all times, but especially now that we are all home so much.”
Earlier this summer, the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading announced that Springfield was recognized as one of just 21 communities nationwide to be recognized with national Pacesetter Honors for supporting early school success in 2019, with exemplary work in Big Tent Collaboration and Messaging and Communications. Springfield was also named a Pacesetter finalist for School Readiness.
Chrissy Howard
Manager
Reading Success by 4th Grade
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Read RS4G's accomplishments over the past three years!
City Recognized for Early Literacy Work with Families in Public Housing, Equipping Families with 30,000 Books During COVID,Convening 500+ Educators for RS4G Building Bridges Conference
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Reading Success by 4th Grade
The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation
One Monarch Place, Ste. 1300
Springfield, MA 01144-1300