GAINESVILLE - In Georgia, only one in three children can read proficiently in third grade, and statistics show those who aren’t reading proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers.
“Reading to a child in the early years of development and learning can have a tremendous outcome and impact,” says Ruth Demby, Read Learn Succeed Coordinator for United Way of Hall County. “The investment, time and care we put into young children now, will affect the type of citizens and community members we cultivate in the future. The Read Learn Succeed initiative targets all small children, and parents of small children, in hopes of bringing not only the joy of reading to families, but also the increased potential for even greater success in their futures.”
The Read Learn Succeed Summer Reading Program encourages parents and other caregivers of young children (from birth to five years of age) to help guide their kids toward success by reading to them 15 minutes each day. The program provides Reading Groups at Melrose, Brentwood, Norwood and Versailles apartment complexes, Gainesville Hall County Library locations, World Language Academy, Jones Elementary, and Hall County Schools International Center.
The summer reading program kicks off this Sunday, June 14 at Elachee Nature Science Center from 2:00-4:00. Families are asked to bring their 0-5 year old(s) to connect, recharge and walk on the Storybook Reading Trail. Activities include face painting, a juggler, arts and crafts, free refreshments and more. United Way of Hall County, Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County, Brenau University, Hall County Public Library System and Elachee Nature Science Center are working together to sponsor the event.
The Summer Reading Program officially begins June 15 and will conclude on July 31. Children will be given a free, age-appropriate book to take home and will have access to other books throughout the summer. At weekly meetings, parents record how much they have read that week, and their child will get a reward coupon from Chick fil-A or La Michuacana Ice cream parlor if the target is met. Weekly meetings will have interactive children’s songs and storytelling. Children and parents will be able to choose a book to read out loud and take one or two books home each week. These groups will provide enjoyable support for parents as they make reading a priority for their children.
Read Learn Succeed is an initiative of United Way of Hall County. Call 678-316-6345 to contact Ruth Demby, Read Learn Succeed Program Coordinator or call 770-539-3128 to contact Nancy Bautista (Español) for more information or to register for the Summer Reading Program. Registration is also available at http://unitedwayhallcounty.org.
