(by Don Meador, Allen County Schools)
Every student in Allen County----both enrolled in the Allen County School District or homeschooled, and every child from birth to age four will soon receive a book from the Allen County School District.
“We are thrilled to announce our first book giveaway for ACS Reads is scheduled for January 28,” explained Allen County Schools Chief Academic Officer Melissa Biggerstaff. “Every student in our district will get to choose a book to take home and keep. We will also be providing books to all homeschooled students and children from birth to age four.”
The book giveaway is the first of multiple book handouts coming per year. The purchase of the books by the District for giveaways is funded through a $3.75 million Innovative Approaches to Literacy grant awarded to the District in October 2021. The five-year grant will fund books for young children and students, books for all school library media centers, curriculum support programs, and professional development opportunities for the district which will be reflective throughout the community.
Recently, the District purchased their first selection of books to be distributed starting January 28. The books cover a wide range of themes and topics and grade levels. Students can also ask for certain books by telling their teachers. Teachers will share student requests with the school’s media specialists who will, in turn, share with ACS Reads officials to place in forthcoming orders.
Biggerstaff notes that the books given away are for students to start their own home libraries
.
“All books given away are to be kept at home and do not have to be returned to school,'' Biggerstaff said.
The grant provides funding as well for many projects and plans that will foster literacy across the community in the months and years ahead. Youngsters of all ages will reap the benefits through increased access to reading materials. Funds will be used to purchase books for children from birth to five years of age. In addition, the grant will help purchase over $1,000,000 worth of books for all students in the District. In addition to providing reading material for youngsters, funding for curriculum support in K-3rd grades is included.