December 11, 2018

It’s  December, the season of  reflection  and gratitude! As we reflect on what we are  grateful  for here at the National Office, it’s you, our network of  over 290  Affiliates.   Throughout the  country, our  Affiliate partners are  working to  create ‘Book Bag Movements’ in local communities; supporting Implementers as they nurture the love of reading with children and helping families to incorporate shared reading into their daily lives.  

As you continue this  critical mission, know that Raising A Reader is available to help you along the way. With ever-evolving and increasing book collections, quarterly webinars, monthly  newsletters, the Online Affiliate Network, training and so much more,  our  team strives to make sure you have the latest and most useful resources available. Featured in this  month’s  newsletter are just a few of our many resources, including:  Affiliate highlights and RAR In  The  News,  2019  training updates  and  December Sales Promotions. Also, don’t forget to take advantage of our social media resources or post your own successes online. Be sure to #RaisingAReader!  

Thank you for all you do to help families! We look forward to serving you in the New Year!  

Your Raising A Reader National Office Team  

Raising A Reader In The News

In 2014 Coachella Valley Unified School District in Thermal, CA, received grant funding from the Masons of California for their initial kickoff to serve 300 families. Coachella Valley Unified School District continued to build a strong relationship in their community, and this did not go unnoticed.   Coachella Valley Unified School District and United Way of the Desert made a connection at Coordinator training that later grew into a partnership. Due to this relationship, Coachella Valley Unified School District will expand their program by 2,000 families in the next year.   This expansion was funded by United Way of the Desert from a grant provided by First 5 Riverside.

“They want to read more stories and they want to be able to read to their brother,” Sabrina Hijazi, a mother of seven said about the program. “I really enjoy it.”  

Affiliate Spotlight

Shout out to YMCA of Greater Kansas City in Kansas City, MO,   for hosting a successful Volunteer event with their local Union workers,  UAW 249!   UAW clocked over 100 volunteer hours assembling, cleaning and taking inventory of the red bags and books. UAW  even  shared Raising A Reader books with students during story time  at Head Start sites throughout Kansas City. Also, UAW purchased books to place in the  Blue  Library  Bags  for students being promoted to kindergarten. The volunteer event was a huge success and all volunteers had a great time!

YMCA of Greater Kansas City Teacher, Terri Hall:
“It has been a very humbling experience to be a part of the Raising A Reader program.   UAW believes one of the greatest gifts you can give is your time…When we walk into the classrooms week after week, seeing the kids smile from ear to ear and running to give us hugs makes it all worth it.”

YMCA of Greater Kansas City, President & CEO, David Byrd:
“The UAW volunteers have helped implement the Raising a Reader program for the children and families in our YMCA Head Start programs. Thanks to their efforts, children are learning important literacy skills  and also  building bonds with their families as they bring the books home to read together.”  

 

Annual Affiliate Check In Reminder

The clock is ticking, and you have 3 more days to complete and submit your Annual Affiliate Check-In materials! The check-in materials are due on  December 14th  in order to  keep  your Affiliate account in good standing.  

Surveys completed  by the  final deadline on December 14,  will be  entered into  the Book Worm Drawing and a chance to win a 2018 Refresher Set.

Need to complete the Check- In? Click here:  Survey Link

Contact Tymisha at  tsweet@raisingareader.org  if you have any questions or need assistance.  

Sales

Congratulations to the winners of the  Raising A Reader National  November Sales Promotions Prize Drawing!    

  • Save the Children US  (RAR  iPad cover/notepad)    
  • St. Francis Community Center  (RAR Swag Bag)  
  • Salinas City Elementary School District  (RAR Holiday Ornament)  
  • Dillon County First Steps  (Wordless Book Collection)    

Check out Raising A Reader’s December  Sales Promotion!   Affiliates placing orders in December  will be  entered into  a weekly drawing to  win 100  Cricket Media magazines.   Tune in to our next weekly drawing on December 11th  at 2 PM Eastern time!

 

 

 

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In Person Coordinator Training

Feb 12-13
Redwood City, CA  
April 2-3
Glen Burnie, MD
Aug 6-7

Online Coordinator Training

  Webinars

March 28
Spring Webinar

June 20
Summer Webinar  

September 26
Fall Webinar

November 21
Winter Webinar

Welcome to our New Affiliates!

Salinas, CA
Salinas City Elementary School District

Washington, DC
House of Ruth

Café Press and Lands’ End Storefront

Want to order items featuring the Raising A Reader logo for yourself, your staff, or as gifts and prizes? Visit Lands’ End and Cafe Press today!