Families Encouraged to Read Together as Part of “Let’s Make 2010–11 The Best School Year Ever!” Event Held Sept. 2 in Camden
American Reading Company Joins with Organizations to Provide Free Books, Cookies to Families
Camden, N.J.—Over 1,500 books and 60 pounds of cookies were given away Sept. 2nd to Camden families to help drive home the importance of reading together as part of the “Let’s Make 2010-11 the Best School Year Ever!” event sponsored in part by American Reading Company.
Wally Amos reading with Camden students and their families
The day-long event was a terrific way to kick off the new school year and continue the positive momentum generated last year by the Camden City Public Schools’ strides in reading achievement. In September 2009, all 20 of Camden City Public Schools’ elementary and family schools adopted American Reading Company’s ACTION 100 program, which yielded a positive increase in student achievement in reading. The initiative was implemented in approximately 500 classrooms for Grades K-8 with more than 8,000 participating students. This year, the program will expand to the Pre-K level.
To celebrate the expansion of the program and reinforce the importance of reading at home to children, the school district, Camden’s Promise Neighborhood and American Reading Company teamed up to bring “Famous” Wally Amos into the city to speak to families. While he may be known for his cookies, Mr. Amos is also a literacy advocate who currently serves as a Board Member of the National Center for Family Literacy and Communities in Schools and as Chairman of the Chip & Cookie Read It LOUD! Foundation.
The day began with a press conference that included appearances by Camden City Mayor Dana L. Redd, Camden City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. B. Lefra Young, and Jane Hileman, Founder and CEO of American Reading Company. Ms. Hileman focused her remarks on thanking the parents, teachers and principals for helping ensure that 95 percent of students in grades K-8 read an hour a day, every day, including weekends and holidays.
Following the press conference, Mr. Amos spoke to families at three locations throughout the school district about the importance of reading together as a family for 10 minutes a day. Using an American Reading Company-published book called “Let Me In,” Mr. Amos also demonstrated read-out-loud techniques that were sure to help parents engage their children. Free cookies and milk were given out, and the Eagles Youth Partnership gave away free books from its bookmobile.
“We can think of no better way to kick off a new school year than with free books and advice from someone like Wally Amos, who truly understands that reading is the foundation for learning,” said Ms. Hileman. “We look forward to continuing our mission to ensure that every child in Camden is reading on or above grade level.”
About American Reading Company
American Reading Company transforms school cultures to create sustainable academic achievement through training, management, and monitoring. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in King of Prussia, PA. Today, more than a million students in 2,100 schools across 420 districts in 41 states participate in the company’s programs, which include ACTION 100, 100 BOOK CHALLENGE and RESEARCH LABS.