RAR Press Release

							 VALLEY WIDE PARTNERSHIP EXPANDS “RAISNG A READER”
    LITERACY PROGRAM TO 1,500 PRESCHOOL CHILDREN
     IN 90 CLASSROOMS FROM ASPEN TO PARACHUTE
For Immediate Release                                              September 2008

Raising A Reader, a powerful early childhood pre-literacy program, targeting the ages of birth to 5
years old is successfully entering its fifth year of bringing Raising A Reader “Read to Me” red
bookbags to 1500 children in 90 classrooms from Aspen to Parachute. From October to May, red
book bags filled with over 200 literacy-acclaimed books featuring appealing artwork, age-appropriate
language and multicultural themes are rotated weekly by valley wide childcare providers. Children
carry the book bags home and enthusiastically draw their families into sharing books with them. The
result is an irresistible request, “Please read to me!”

Raising A Reader offers children and their families an easy, fun, effective pre-literacy learning
opportunity that develops the love of book which in turn fosters healthy brain development, family
bonding and early literacy skills critical for kindergarten readiness, high school graduation and life-
long success. The program involves preschools, child care centers, Head Starts, Even Starts and
family childcare homes in the 10 communities of Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield Counties. The target is
low income, children at risk; English is a second language and families with two parents working or
single parent families. Raising A Reader is a research and proven-outcome based program that affects
community change.

The early childhood educators participating in the Raising A Reader program believe so much in the
value and benefits the program offers they have made it an important part of their curriculum. The
teacher’s express that Raising A Reader increases family involvement through books, inspires a
child’s love of reading and makes kids feel responsible and in charge which builds their sense of
confidence. In addition to carefully managing the weekly rotation and care of the books, they attend
an annual Raising A Reader Teacher’s Orientation, host a Parent Literacy Night and schedule a
spring library field trip. Jayne Poss, Raising A Reader Executive Director, “I have so much respect
for the extra time, effort and commitment the teachers and their staff continually give to bring the
red book bags to their classroom children.

Raising A Reader is the vision of a growing group of valley wide funding partners who believe
building literacy skills during the crucial preschool years will have a long term positive effect for the
children and families of the Roaring Fork Valley. With independent research supporting the fact that
the first five years of a child’s life are critical to establishing the foundation that will guide and direct
them for the rest of their lives, this creative collaborative effort involving educators, children,
families, libraries and funding partners will have a long term impact on the social, educational and
economic vitality of our valley.

For more information contact: Jayne Poss @ jayposs@comcast.net or 970-925-6160




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