The Learning Alliance is organizing a Moonshot Moment "Page it Forward" book collection, to end on November 3, 2015 – the 2nd annual Moonshot Moment Day of Service. Organizations can support the Moonshot Moment by collecting new or gently used books for children ages one through 12 (up to grade 5.) The books will be given to children in Indian River County.
Currently, over 1/3 of children are reading below grade-level in the United States. Inability to read is linked to poverty, dependence on welfare, unemployment, and crime. Studies show that access to printed materials has been found to be the "critical variable affecting reading acquisition.”1 However, these same studies show that on average, low income children often have no age-appropriate books in their home.
Marie O’Brien, Director of Community Outreach for the Moonshot Moment, says, “As a step toward achieving the Indian River County Moonshot Moment goal to have 90% of children reading on grade level by the end of third grade, we are working to ensure that all children will have books in their home! It’s a great time to clean up the bookshelves and “page it forward” by donating today.”
Drop off locations include, but are not limited to:
· All thirteen public elementary schools in the School District of Indian River County and the School District Main Office at 1990 25th Street, Vero Beach, FL
· Indian River Chamber of Commerce, 1216 21st Street, Vero Beach, FL
· ChristianFM Radio, 9055 Americana Road, #24, Vero Beach, FL 32966
· United Way, 1836 14th Avenue, Vero Beach
· School District of Indian River County District Offices - Vero Beach
· Vero Beach Boys & Girls Club, 1729 17th Ave. Vero Beach, FL 32960
· Sebastian Boys & Girls Club. 1415 Friendship Lane. Sebastian, FL 32958 (behind town hall)
· Fellsmere Boys & Girls Club, 22 S. Orange St., Fellsmere, FL 32948 (1st floor of old school house)
· Fidelity Investments, 3340 Cardinal Drive, Vero Beach
If you would like to be part of the Moonshot Moment Day of Service and to be a book drop off location, or if you want to learn more about the Moonshot Moment and the book drive program, please visit moonshotmoment.org or contact Marie O'Brien of The Learning Alliance, (mobrien@thelearningalliance.org) or call 877-548-READ.
1: Source: http://www.heartofamerica.org/literacy.htm
About The Learning Alliance:
The Learning Alliance is a catalyst for innovation and collaboration supporting the Moonshot Moment transformative goal by arming front-line educators, parents, and community leaders with the tools, knowledge, and support necessary for success. We are dedicated to achieving 90% student literacy by third grade. Through innovative, evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning, we empower teachers to transform children’s lives. Through partnerships with the School District of Indian River County, Indian River State College, community leaders and civic youth organizations in our community, we hope to create local solutions that can serve as a model for the nation. Visit www.thelearningalliance.org for more information.
About the Moonshot Moment:
In 2012, the former SDIRC Superintendent Dr. Fran Adams, in collaboration with The Learning Alliance, launched the “Moonshot Moment: 90% Literacy by Third Grade” making it one of the 140 communities working with the Campaign for Grade Level Reading (CGLR,) a nationwide movement of local leaders, states, nonprofits, and foundations putting a stake in the ground on third-grade reading. The communities are adopting a collective impact strategy, engaging the full community around the goal of supporting low-income children from birth through third grade. Acknowledging that schools alone cannot address all the challenges that keep children from learning to read, the School District of Indian River County works with nonprofits and other partners to ensure that children arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed, attend school regularly, and keep learning through the summer months. The Indian River County Moonshot Moment Literacy Leaders group is comprised of over 70 business, nonprofit, School District, and concerned citizens working together to create programs and momentum to reach the 90% literacy goal!
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