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Add comment December 23rd, 2009
Archive for December, 2009
Piping in the Reading Motivation
 Verve Pipe lead singer Brian Van Der Ark celebrates the glory of cereal. |
RIF coordinators are frequently challenged to find new ways to build on the excitement at book distributions. So when Bath (Mich.) Elementary School RIF Coordinator Stephanie Signs heard that she might be able to get a local rock band to kickoff her first distribution of the year, she jumped at the chance.
With a theme of “Reading Is Music to Your Mind,” Signs approached members of The Verve Pipe to help out with the RIF program. The band, which had Billboard chart-topping singles in the 1990s including The Freshman, agreed. On the eve of their first distribution for the year in late October, the band wowed the entire school with several selections from a new album of family music, singing about topics like behaving at birthday parties and their love of cereal. |
“The coordination behind this event is another amazing example of the involvement we have from the parents of our students,” said Mary Larson, Bath Elementary School principal. “This is something very special for the children.”
 Bath Elementary School kindergarteners proudly display their new books. |
The following day at school, each class was brought to the RIF tables to choose a book to add to their home libraries. From the ceiling hung musical notes and CDs labeled with favorite characters and genres. And the symphony of smiles couldn’t have been larger as children chose their books while the sounds of The Verve Pipe drifted from a stereo in the corner.
Henry Dunbar |
2 comments December 22nd, 2009
Bringing Books and Backpacks to the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation
RIF Volunteer Dr. Lucy Her Many Horses arranges books while children from the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation choose RIF books.
As early winter settled over the rolling hills of rural South Dakota in late October, a group of American Indian children in one of the most impoverished communities in America got excited about a special event coming to their school. Reading Is Fundamental and the Office Depot Foundation teamed up to provide each elementary and middle school student at Todd County Public Schools and other schools on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation a free backpack and book. Former Rosebud Tribal Council member Robert Moore coordinated the event. Having worked with Office Depot Foundation President Mary Wong on a backpack distribution in 2008, he contacted RIF after learning about our recent partnership with the National Indian Education Association. With the increased support from Macy’s for our Multicultural Literacy Campaign, RIF was able to provide additional books so that each of the 2,000 children receiving a backpack could choose a book to keep as well.
Most of the children participating will also receive three additional books this year from RIF of Todd County program coordinated by 2007 RIF Volunteer of the Year Lucy Her Many Horses, who was also present at the book and backpack distribution.
Marcus Lee of RIF, Christopher Noe of the Office Depot Foundation, Henry Dunbar of RIF, and Robert Moore of the Rosebud Sioux Indian Tribe display some of the books and backpack to be given away.
“It’s a challenge for a lot of our families to provide something new and fun for these kids,” said Robert Moore. “This gives us a day for honoring these young children, for respecting them and showing them that people care about them.”
Students from the St. Francis Indian School smile with their new books.
The smiles were plentiful as the children paraded past the tables, each with some things brand new that will treasured for some time to come.
Henry Dunbar
RIF Director of Strategic Communications
1 comment December 18th, 2009
A RIF Program of the Month: Maritza’s Eyes Are Bright in Greeley, Colorado!
Maritza was a shy 3rd grader in the Family Literacy Program. She did not speak much English and therefore struggled with the work she was given. When she saw the book on the table, she reluctantly got in line to choose a book. But her eyes lit up when she saw the bilingual Spanish/English language choices of books. She chose Que Monton de Tamales (Too Many Tamales) by Gary Soto, ran over to her mom for PACT (Parent and Child Together) time, and insisted her mother read this book with her. Her mother, who spoke even less English, was thrilled to be able to practice in Spanish some of her new strategies she had just acquired and read along with her daughter.
Maritza is one child of many children affected by the Centennial BOCES Migrant RIF Program in Greeley, Colo. For six years, this program has been serving 2,956 children throughout their 95 sites in this rural area. Coordinator Christine Muldoon says “RIF is a marvelous program for our migrant families. Many of our families would not have any books in their house if it were not for RIF. Plus, since our families move around a lot within the region, RIF guarantees students will always have at least one book they can call their own. It is very special to them.”
Centennial BOCES has a 12-week Family Literacy Program for both the parents and the children. The program provides English classes for the parents and offers tools and strategies for the parents to read to their children during the Parent and Children Together time. The program also offers the students workshops to improve their math and reading skills.
To honor the migrant students, Centennial BOCES hosts an annual Outstanding Migrant Students and High School Graduation Celebration at the centrally located high school. This celebration recognizes the current graduates from high school and those who have consistently done an outstanding job throughout the year. Each district picks three students and the committee arranges for busses to go out to the regions to pick up students, families and friends who want to celebrate the students’ successes. Last year over 500 migrant students and their families were present.
RIF has a profound impact on these students’ lives according to Ms. Muldoon who notes “RIF enriches our students’ lives. They appreciate the books they receive and connect reading with being successful in life.”
Congratulations to all affiliated with the Centennial BOCES Migrant Program, you are an inspiration!
Happy reading,
RIF Unit III
Add comment December 17th, 2009
South Texas Literacy Coalition Celebrates a Year of Successes!
Family of Readers grant recipients
Last week, Reading Is Fundamental celebrated with the South Texas Literacy Coalition (STLC) at their annual Holiday Gathering held at the University of Texas Pan-American Visitor Center in Edinburg, Texas. RIF staff members Stephen Leach, Wendell Bassett, Caroline Gonzalez and Krista Heckler traveled from chilly Washington, DC and met local RIF staff member Diana Padilla for an evening of warm South Texas weather and hospitality as the coalition celebrated a banner year.
STLC President Laura Hinojosa opened with a welcome and an update on all the events and initiatives in which the Coalition has participated this year. RIF announced the eight organizations receiving a Family Reading Celebration grant thanks to the generous support of The Meadows Foundation; these grants will provide funding for the creation and implementation of a parent-child oriented reading event to promote family literacy in local communities. In addition, RIF awarded seven organizations with a Family of Readers Training grant from The Meadows Foundation funding to provide each site with a train-the-trainer workshop that will help parents develop the skills and self-assurance to take a lead supporting role in their children’s reading and learning. Representatives from several recipient organizations were on hand to be congratulated and receive the awards.
The Coalition also announced the new officers for the 2010 year with each installed and presented a special children’s book; the officers are President Laura Hinojosa, President-elect Dr. Dahlia Guerra, Vice President Dr. Ida Acuna, Secretary Ricardo Contreras, and Treasurer Letty Leija.
RIF staff members Krista Heckler, Wendell Bassett and Diana Padilla visited several RIF programs in the Valley including Sam Houston Elementary School, Airport Drive Elementary School and Ruben Hinojosa Elementary School. At each of the sites, the RIF coordinators shared their excitement about the RIF program and told stories about the joy each student experiences when choosing free books for ownership. RIF staff members were also able to visit the Mercedes Early Childhood Center to present Dalila Hinojosa a grant award for a RIF Family Reading Celebration.
Diana visits Mercedes Early Childhood Center
The South Texas Literacy Coalition and the RIF programs in the Valley are excited about the great work achieved over the past year and are eager to start a new year full of literacy events, training sessions and book distributions!
Happy Reading,
Stephen Leach
Vice President, Government Relations and Community Outreach
3 comments December 15th, 2009
NONFICTION MONDAY: MANDELA: THE REBEL WHO LED HIS NATION TO FREEDOM
Recently a friend called to say her upper elementary school aged children want to see INVICTUS, the recently released movie featuring Nelson Mandela and his quest during his first term as President of South Africa to use the 1995 World Rugby Cup as a way to unite his country. She wondered if I knew of a biography of Mandela they might read before seeing the movie. In looking over lists and talking with friends who are librarians, I was directed by several people to The National Geographic biography series that includes Mandela: The Rebel Who Led his Nation to Freedom by Ann Kramer.
The narrative of course draws the reader to want to learn more and more about this man named Mandela who showed the real meaning of “unwavering commitment” to freedom and unity. The book like others in this National Geographic series uses personal diaries, family photographs and primary quotes to create a scrapbook format along with time lines showing key events.
Remember it’s Nonfiction Monday, don’t fail to read about more great nonfiction books for children and youth today at In Need of Chocolate.
Happy Reading!
Carol
4 comments December 14th, 2009
COVER STORY: A WHOLE NOTHER STORY by Dr. Cuthbert Soup and illustrated by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins
I took one look at this cover for A WHOLE NOTHER STORY in the catalog noting this book for ages 9-12; without any text to tell me about the book I quickly marked it based on the cover alone as one to explore further on December 22, 2009 when it debuts. The positioning of those men on the road, men of different sizes in suits no less, and the sock puppet leaning from the back of what appears to be a good ole fashioned station wagon as I knew them in my childhood just spells “intrigue” does it not?
Plus, who can’t be curious by an author named “Dr. Cuthbert Soup“?
Happy Reading!
Carol
Cover Story is a feature every Monday on Rasco From RIF where I share with you the “face” of a book that has caught my eye or that readers have submitted. Cover Story does not discuss the content of the book. I hope you will share your favorite “cover story” with me now and then!
Twitter: @RascofromRIF
Add comment December 14th, 2009
A RIF Program of the Month: Wynne, Arkansas
Wynne Intermediate School serves 462 children in the fourth and fifth grades and is located in the Arkansas Delta. For the past 16 years, Wynne has held engaging motivational activities for the students and parents. Last year when each of these grades was studying different countries and cultures, the RIF coordinator built on the studies and planned a multicultural book-themed distribution. Authors and titles were chosen to help represent that theme. The Family Literacy Night is the largest of the three distributions. The event is organized by the school staff in order to promote parent involvement in the schools and in their child’s education. Parents and students generally rotate stations and do arts and craft projects, walk through the book station, and listen to a storyteller. Last year, author Michael Shoulders came to visit. He spoke to the gathering about becoming a writer and the writing process; when the students left to select their books, Mr. Shoulders spoke to the parents about the importance of books in the home and reading to their children no matter how old they are. Ree Routon, the former coordinator who recently has moved to the Wynne High School library, discussed with RIF staff recently the impact RIF has had on Wynne. She pointed out the connection that every student in the intermediate school has had with the Wynne Public Library. The librarians come to speak with the students and promote coming to the library with their parents to get library cards and check out books. Mrs. Routon also mentioned that the closest bookstore to Wynne is roughly a 50 mile drive; this means it is not common for many kids to own their own books, except the beautiful books they receive through RIF. Kaley Boeckmann has recently taken over the RIF program and is looking to continuing the great RIF traditions in Wynne.
Congratulations to Wynne Intermediate School and Happy Reading to all!
Unit 2
4 comments December 10th, 2009
RIF Honors Its Own
- Wendell Bassett & Romeo Ferrufino: RIF’s November Gold Stars!
Each month RIF honors selected employees with the President’s Award for Customer Service. Recently honored for their service in the month of November were Romeo Ferrufino who serves as a financial analyst in the RIF Finance Department and Wendell Bassett, a Regional Unit Manager in the RIF Programs Department.
Romeo was cited for his excellent internal customer service to the Finance Department in the recent upgrades to RIF’s accounting system as well as serving to help educate the new Controller in the details and intricacies of RIF’s day-to-day accounting functions. His close attention to detail and ability to explain the ongoing processes from conception to full implementation were terrific according to his nominator!
At a recent conference Wendell was approached by a teacher who said she had applied for a RIF program and was placed on the waiting list. Wendell accessed RIF’s online subcontract system on his cell phone, was able to tell her the status of the application and when someone last attempted to contact her. He obtained correct contact information and promised to follow-up after the conference which he did. This teacher felt she was a high priority to RIF…and she is, just like all our customers whether child or adult…past, present or future!
Congratulations to Romeo and Wendell!
Happy Reading,
Carol Rasco
Add comment December 9th, 2009
Conferences – one way we learn and share!
Recently RIF has had representation at two conferences giving strong information and opportunities for sharing with colleagues from across the country. First was the National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI) Technology Innovations Conference. This conference focused on how technology has helped assist children’s learning. During the 2-day conference two topics dominated the majority of the discussion. The first topic was: cell phones. It is clear that this technology has been one of the most well received ones around the world, and yet education is still learning how to better use it to engage students and improve learning outcomes.
The second topic mentioned throughout the conference was: How we have evolved in the way we use technology? It was explained that 10 years ago we were consumers of technology, we read websites, we paid bills, etc. Since then we have evolved and we now participate in technology — in other words: we text, we twitter, we send pictures instantly to our friends and the media, and we write blogs! For these reasons it is now believed we have possibly come to the third wave of technology, the creative stage. Now we see the creative development of technology applications to meet the needs of all children from video games that challenge problem solving skills to adapting a variety of devices to make them available and individualized to all. Needless to say the technological revolution we are living today has had a great impact on all of us, but most important of all it has helped to better level the playing field for learners who might have struggled in the past — now they have more appropriate and efficient ways available to access information and become lifelong readers. Next we face ensuring ready accessibility for all children.
Then on the weekend before Thanksgiving RIF had representation and made presentations at the annual conference of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) held in DC. The report is in and our reps report the sessions were better than ever, every workshop attended was well planned and delivered solid information based on the latest best practices. RIF was pleased to have Rebecca Chrystal-Armstrong, Director of Training Services and Patricia Oholeguy, Director of Early Childhood Services present Create A Family of Readers: Strengthen Literacy by Bringing Together Parents, Teachers, and Children sharing with teachers and administrators the materials developed by RIF to better support communities as they work to improve children’s learning experiences.
Happy Reading!
Carol
Twitter: @RascofromRIF
Add comment December 8th, 2009