Archive for November, 2008
(From left to right.) "Thanksgiving at the Tappletons'" book cover. Carol's son, Hamp and his cousin, Casey .
Children wearing carefully made Pilgrim’s hats or Indian headdresses of paper feathers, favorite family dishes, family walks around the old neighborhoods, G. G. Mid’s “cranberry crunch” and Aunt Alice’s relish tray…there are many things that trigger for each of us the memories of a Thanksgiving in years past. I hear the word Thanksgiving and I think first of my mother’s turkey salt and pepper shakers and the Pilgrim candles she always had on the table, and how amazed I was to see a few years ago those candles only cost a dime each!
Through the years our Hampton and Rasco families have built many traditions, but my favorite has always been the reading of Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’ by Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler. My son was given this book on his ninth birthday in November of 1982 and each Thanksgiving we read it at some point. Even now as an adult my son and all the family laugh at the frozen turkey sliding down the sidewalk to disappear into the puddle, the empty pie boxes, the salad fixings fed to the rabbits, and the potatoes that were the victim of an adolescent on the phone (familiar story?)! Even though the Tappletons had to settle for pickles and sandwiches and applesauce and liverwurst, they discovered that, yes, “In fact, everyone had plenty to eat. But most of all, they had each other.”
RIF is grateful to each member of our RIF family for your dedication to children’s and family literacy and wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy reading, happy eating!
Carol
November 25th, 2008
(From left to right.) "The First Chapter" RIF story sampler. "Our Book By Us!" RIF bilingual activity book.
Recently, RIF presented “Setting the Stage: Nurturing Oral Language and Literacy Development at Home, School, and Play” to Early Childhood professionals in Dallas at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) annual conference. The presentation included a basic overview of children’s brain development, strategies for nurturing such development and resources available to support caregivers in providing an optimal learning environment for young children. RIF resources created to stimulate oral language growth and to instill a love of reading for all children presented in this session were:
The First Chapter is a “story sampler” for children, birth through preschool. Within this book are booklists, activities and ideas for caregivers to create significant experiences meant to foster learning growth and exploration.
Our Book By Us!/Nuestro Libro ¡Hecho Por Nosotros!, created by RIF, The College Board, and The National Writing Project, is the most recent addition to RIF’s family of literacy resources. With 28 pages of illustrations and text in both English and Spanish, caregivers are encouraged to read, write and talk with their preschool-age children to help with their literacy development.
Both resources can be downloaded on the RIF website: The First Chapter and Our Book By Us!.
Happy Reading!
Carol
November 24th, 2008
On November 17, RIF joined with other organizations across the D.C. area for the Seventh Annual National Capital Philanthropy Day sponsored by the Washington D.C. Metro Area Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP/DC). RIF Vice President of Development Lynn Croneberger serves as the vice president for resource development for AFP/DC and was a member of the leadership committee for this event. RIF honored The Sallie Mae Fund as an exceptional Foundation Partner with Erin Korsvall of the fund present.
The Sallie Mae Fund and Sallie Mae have supported RIF for nearly 20 years with grants and employee matching gifts totaling nearly $1 million. In addition, Sallie Mae contributes thousands of volunteer hours at local schools in communities where employees live and work as well on a strategic level on RIF’s board of directors. RIF also honored Margaret McNamara Pastor as an Exceptional Volunteer Fundraiser. Margy is the daughter of our founder, Margaret McNamara, and has spoken around the country on RIF’s behalf and will be launching the Margaret McNamara Giving Circle in the near future, a group to cultivate major donors for RIF; Margy also serves on RIF’s board. We were happy to have board member Alex Armstrong with us as well who chaired RIF’s first two galas. A great day of celebrating contributors and fundraisers!
Happy reading,
Carol
November 21st, 2008
(From left to right.) Children at the Miami Book Fair International showing off their new RIF bags. Children making animal puppets at the RIF booth. RIF staff person, Pati Carrada reading to children at the fair.
Hi Everyone! I am Pati Carrada, a Regional Unit Manager in RIF’s programs department. I recently participated in the Miami Book Fair International, and was asked by Carol to share my experience with you.
This year the Miami Book Fair International celebrated its 25th year! In that time, it has offered a large scope of books, and has hosted over 400 international authors. Thanks to the generous support of RIF’s corporate sponsor Macy’s, RIF was able to attend as well.
The fair began on Friday, November 14 with thousands of people eager to explore the many interesting tents at the Miami Book Fair International. The RIF tent was set up for literacy activities, read-alouds, and take home crafts. Our RIF tent housed a “Reading Jungle Experience” and from the moment we set up, we had a full house—which was a very welcome sight.
This put all of the RIF staff in great spirits. We all assembled to receive our interested public, and began to spread the word about RIF’s mission. Parents, guardians, and children were welcomed into the tent by RIF staff members wearing colorful parrot hats, and found themselves walking through hanging vines, parrot shaped piñatas, and tropical plants.
Children sat at the “Jungle Reading Corner,” for a bilingual read-aloud, and were read Wild About Books by Judy Sierra, The Parrot Tico Tango by Anne Witte or the Spanish version El Loro Tico Tango. You could see the children’s eyes sparkle with excitement!
As we prepared to pack up, we took note of the diverse families we had the pleasure to serve on those few days, and really appreciated how important it is to continue to further RIF’s Multicultural Literacy Campaign efforts. I felt personally rewarded in engaging our Spanish speaking families, but also in having the opportunity to meet families and children from countries all over the world, who all shared one common feature—a love of reading!
Pati
November 20th, 2008
Hi! I’m Gabrielle Miller, RIF vice president of programs. I’m responsible for managing all RIF literacy services, including the Books For Ownership, Family of Readers and Shared Beginnings programs to name a few. As you might imagine, my job requires me to solve puzzles almost daily.
Lucky for me, I like puzzles.
I don’t always solve them quickly but I always enjoy the challenge. I like finding the pieces one by one, trying different pieces in different places, being pleasantly surprised when something doesn’t seem like it should fit but it does, then finally solving it. Fortunately, being RIF’s vice president of programs has presented me with many puzzles, but the one that I’d like to share started two years ago when I arrived at RIF, one on which I have had tremendous help and one of which we have a clearer picture!
The puzzle? What new book ordering options could we create to help coordinators who need to streamline the process?
The solution? RIF Ready Packs.
On November 10, RIF Ready Packs, a new ordering option for coordinators, was launched! With the help of participating vendors (Scholastic, AKJ, All About Books, and Jonathan Dragon) and under the amazing leadership of Cathy Bryan, Peter Patel, and Rachel Hutt, coordinators can now go on RIF.org and order small packages (usually five titles) of high quality books organized by age and theme. No more mystery about what books you’re ordering—you’ll see all the titles. We’ve even started a library of corresponding motivational activity ideas that relate to the themes and the age groups.
We’re in the early stages so we have lots to work out, but we’ve already gotten orders and we’re very excited!! We also hope to significantly expand the library of motivational activities and encourage coordinators to submit their best activities.
If you’re a coordinator, check out the coordinator page on RIF.org. If you’re just interested in motivational activities, take a look at RIF’s home page.
As I said the puzzle is taking shape—we’ve got the frame done and we’re working on the inside pieces. Let us know what you think. Help us fit the pieces together!
Happy reading,
Gabrielle
November 19th, 2008
(From left to right.) Carol Rasco reading to students at Tyler Elementary. RIF books at the Tyler Elementary book distribution. Students selecting their RIF books.
Today RIF celebrated the first DC Initiative distribution of the school year with an election theme. The DC Initiative offers a great chance for staff at RIF’s national office to take part in RIF distributions across Washington, D.C. At our spotlight school, John Tyler Elementary, we greeted an excited group of students in the festively decorated auditorium. Principal Terry Dade introduced the assembly and RIF coordinator Tawana Kane gave a brief presentation on the history of RIF. The school chorus kicked off the event by singing a song, and one of the 5th grade girls presented a biography of the school’s namesake, President John Tyler. Another 5th grade student revealed the election results for the school’s favorite book to the eager audience. The winning book, Granddaddy’s Gift by Margaree King Mitchell, is an inspirational story about the value of education and the importance of voting.
Students then helped me by calling out the election results as I read aloud Duck for President. RIF Board member Lynda Johnson Robb was on hand to observe the students as they carefully selected their RIF books and picked up a Washington Redskins activity book before heading back to their classes for activities and treats. As over 13,000 children in D.C. head home with a new, free book from RIF this week, we hope they discover the joy of reading and sharing their books with family and friends.
Happy reading,
Carol
November 18th, 2008
(From left to right.) A sign welcoming RIF to Beechwood Elementary. U.S. Senator Thad Cochran with RIF coordinator Melissa Rouse. Sen. Cochran reading to students.
“DUCK WON!” was the big announcement at Beechwood Elementary School’s RIF Assembly and distribution in Vicksburg, Miss. on October 30. That meant “DUCK FOR PRESIDENT” was the winning book at the end of the week-long reading motivation period which included four books up for election. A very special guest at the assembly was Senator Thad Cochran who praised the children and quoted Mark Twain saying “Reading is a pleasure but it is also a gift, and he who does not read good books is no better than one who cannot read them.”
The program included a play by the students with Uncle Sam answering election-related questions from students, some brief speeches by students portraying former presidents and even appearances by presidential candidates who later appeared in photos with their “fellow” Senator, Mr. Cochran!
Principal Jack Grogan and RIF coordinator Melissa Rouse had worked with a committee to produce a meaningful and fun week; those of us visiting from RIF national were impressed with the program and the student performances as well as the great attendance by parents and local public officials and business persons. I send a special thank you to the students for helping to thank Senator Cochran for his strong support of RIF. Way to go Beechwood!
Happy reading,
Carol
November 13th, 2008
(From left to right.) Barr Elem. students engage in a mock debate. Students selecting RIF books. Wilber Walters, Associate Superintendent Schools; Dr. Limmie Flowers, Principal of Barr Elem.; Gayle Wicker, wife of Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker; Carol H. Rasco; Jonathan N. Larkin, JPS Board Member; Cassandra Williams, JPS Elementary Schools Assistant Superintendent.
Recently RIF participated in a literacy celebration at Barr Elementary School in Jackson, Miss. Starting with a parent and guest reception we met with officials from Merchants and Farmers Bank which provided the local match for Barr; individuals from the Employment Security Division which has adopted Barr and not only assists with literacy activities but assists in educating the students about the world of work; local church members who were guest readers; and state and local public officials. A number of parents were also present to assist with the special events of the day.
The theme of the celebration was “I VOTE READING” and the students visited literacy stations including voting on favorite characters, a patriotic song festival, art, book selection and guest readers. One guest reader was Gayle Wicker, wife of Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker. Hip, hip hooray to the students of Barr for their enthusiasm about reading and to Dr. Limmie Flowers, principal, and Sidney St. Martin, Barr RIF Coordinator for such a great event!
Happy reading,
Carol
November 12th, 2008
(From left to right.) Carol Rasco and Margaret McNamara Pastor (daughter of RIF founder, Margaret McNamara) speaking to McNamara Award recipients. Susan Ryan (2003 McNamara Award recipient) and Margaret McNamara Pastor.
Another activity during this week of “RIF’s Birthday” was a wonderful luncheon in the home of Margaret McNamara Pastor, daughter of RIF’s founder. The luncheon honored 20 current RIF staff who have received a Margaret McNamara Award for Excellence since the award’s inception in 2003. Each quarter two RIF employees are selected to receive this award; in addition to being “high performers” in the quarter for which they are nominated, they are people who have performed with a “can do” and inspiring attitude. These people believe in the mission of RIF and always strive in their work to further that mission. It was a special time for all present, and we hope it will become part of a RIF birthday tradition!
Thank you, Margy, and happy reading to all!
Carol
November 7th, 2008
(From left to right.) Jacki Ball with Quinton Roman Nose (Southern Cheyenne), President of the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly. Patricia Oholeguy speaking at the National Indian Education Association Conference.
From October 22 to 26, RIF staff participated in the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly (TEDNA) Annual Meeting and the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Conference in Seattle, Washington.
On October 22, RIF staff provided an overview of RIF and its Multicultural Literacy Campaign to a gathering of tribal education directors at the TEDNA Annual Meeting. Jacki Ball, RIF manager of government relations and community outreach, presented the goals and mission of RIF and initiated an ongoing discussion with tribal education directors on how RIF and Native American communities can continue to foster literacy within their families and communities. RIF is honored and grateful to have had the opportunity to speak to these leaders and looks forward to the start of a great relationship with TEDNA.
Patricia Oholeguy, RIF director of early childhood services, presented to 40 attendees at the NIEA Conference on October 23. Patricia’s presentation focused on how Native American schools, tribes, and other education and community groups can receive federal funding for RIF’s flagship program, Books for Ownership. Patricia gave an overview of RIF as well as the literacy programs and services that we can provide.
Speaking engagements like these highlight just some of the ways RIF is actively engaging Native American communities to further our mission to motivate all children to read by working with their community leaders to make reading a fun and beneficial part of their everyday lives. Visit RIF’s Multicultural Literacy Campaign page to learn about our other multicultural literacy initiatives.
Happy Reading
Carol
November 6th, 2008
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