BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
Parents and guardians with pre-K through fifth grade children are encouraged to visit www.newworldsreading.com and sign up for one of the upcoming reading events at locations throughout the community.
Florida’s New World Reading Initiative is a program to put books into the hands of students and help them achieve grade-level reading proficiency.
In addition to a free book at the event, families will also eat dinner and participate in reading activities.
Each event is free, but registration is required.
Florida legislators created the New World Reading Initiative in 2021 to serve eligible public and charter school students. The University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning administers the program. A department in the College of Education, the center strives to improve the quality of teaching, learning and childcare through research and innovative developments.
The program is open to any pre-K students who are not yet meeting age-appropriate standards according to FAST Star Early Literacy, and kindergarteners through fifth-graders in public or charter schools who are not yet reading on grade level.
Participants can receive new books monthly. Parents can choose the types of books their child would like to read, and books are available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole or braille. Through fun and practical activities, students’ reading confidence can improve. Parents can assist at home by practicing with the books their children collect in their personal home library.
Bradford County School District is promoting the initiative through several local programs and began with events at Starke and Lawtey elementary schools. There is an event at Madison Street Baptist Church on Jan. 25, followed by Starke Church of God by Faith on Feb. 21, Bradford Elementary School on March 5, Bradford County Public Library on March 18, the District boardroom on April 9 and First Church of Starke on April 11.
The events are hosted by the Bradford County Education Foundation. There will be a presentation about the program for parents and guardians, books and activities for kids, and dinner for all. The meal will be served from 5:45-6:15 p.m., followed by reading and activities until 7:15 p.m.
All you need to do is register at www.newworldsreading.com.
For more information, please contact Lila Sellars at 904-966-6018 or [email protected].
